^LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.? 



||lrap. .r-^^.l..,topm%M fo } 

^ __— . 

■^ UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. | 



^XOCC- 



STKI'HKX SOX'S 



POCKET FARRIER 



OK, 



1^ ^^ ^^^ 

^<§^ COPYRIGHT -'xA- 



EVERY ONE HIS OWN HORSE DOCTOR. 



WRITTEN IN PLAIN LANGUAGE. TO ENABLE EVK1>'T 

MAN TO TREAT CORRECTLY AND WITHSCi"- 

CESS ALL DISEASES TO WHICH HORSES 

ANP CATTLE ARE LIABLE. 



BY JOHN STEPHENSON, V. S. 



TECrMSEH. MICH.: 

RECOKD BOOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE, 

1R7-2. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by 

JOHN STEPHENSON, V. S., 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



> 



^\ 



^^^V: 



INDEX 



D iseases of Horses. 

PA«E. 

Blood Spavin ... 86 

Boo: Spavin -M) 

Bone Spavi n 41 

Bots 47 

('•M\c 18 

Coughs .... 28 

(Jonsiinipl ion 25 

Curl), the 87 

Coffin-Joint, the 87 

( V)iitracte(l Feet 40 

Diarrhea 17 

Disorders of I he Eyes 81 

Excessive, oi- Profuse Slaling- 20 

Epilepsy ."io 

Fistula in the Withers 41 

Farcy 40 

Fevers 5.") 

Grease, the 88 

Glanders 52 

Hints to Purchasers of Horses 5 

Intestines, the . . . . 



IXDKX. 

Iiiti;iniiiiiifion of tlic Kidiicvs ... . IS 

BIa(Ul<T 11) 

X"ck ')[• the P.lMddcr .. 1!) 

Liver 20 

Jau m\ ic<' 21 

Liver, tlir 9 

Lung: Fever 10 

Loss of Ai)petite . 20 

Lameness In the Hip Joint 88 

Slionlder 88 

Maniie, the 40 

Medicines 77 

Prefaee 1 

Pleurisy 11 

Pleth(M-a 2() 

Poll Evil 42 

Palsy 48 

Kingbone 34 

Rheumatism 44 

Stomach, the 8 

Swelling of the Breast 28 

Strangles ... 28 

Suppression of the L^rine 2!) 

Splents 88 

Stifl Joints 84 

Strains in the Back Sinews , , 85 

String Halt 88 

Sand Cracks 80 

Surfeits 48 



IM)K\. 

StM^iiicis o:> 

Thnrouffii Pi)i, ilic :{."» 

V'ivcs, llic 21 

N'ciiomous IJilcs '■]') 

Wounds *2i) 

Wiiidpilis :30 

Wens 42 

\\'(MI11S 4.") 

Diseases of Cattle. 

Cow Slip the ("Mlf T4 

Felon. Of Hide lioiind (i.") 

F(d(^ll. the tin 

?\-illiii.ii- Down of tlic Calf Bed 0() 

rnflaniiDaiion of ilic Neck of tlic liladdrr (58 

" r.ivcr »)S 

" " Stoniarli 70 

" " Wonjb TO 

Lice on ( attic , T4 

Lameness 75 

Milk Fever in Cows after ('alvinir QH 

Poison, or Swelling hi the Howels 72 

Quinsy, tlie 71 

Scr(^fiila. or Scab 73 

Treatment of Sick Cattle 57 

To Help a Cow in Calving 58 

Yellows, or Jaundice 69 



r 



PREFACE 



To present a publication to the world, however 
small the size of that publication b(% is a matter of 
vast importance, and wliat no one should dare to do 
without the most deliberate consideration. This 
should especially be the case, witli respect to this 
work. The author has been solicited b}^ Ids friends, 
for years, to write a Pocket Farrier, describing 
the diseases of both cattle and horses — the symptoms 
of every disease, and wiiat to give, the quantity to 
give at a dose ; and also to give it in as few words 
as possible. With such a book at hand, the fiirmer 
or his neighbors, wlio may be more apt at doctoring 
horses, may determine the disease, and apply the 
proper treatment with success far superior to what 
would result without such a book. 

I may add that the horse is often treated for the 
wrong diseases amid this confusion of ojiinion, and 
not unfrequently loses his life by such treatment. 
Now in the absence of men educated as horse doc- 
tors, on whose judgment we may reh^ is it not our 
onlj'' safe way of guarding against fatal mistakes, to 
have at liand a book, written in plain language, 
which explains carefully ever}' sj-mptom of every 
1 



2 

disease, and points out especially those symptoms 
winch distinguish each disease from every other for 
which it is liable to be mistaken ; and not only this, 
but one which tells what to give, the quantity to 
give at a dose, how to give it, what effect it will 
have, when to give more, and when to quit giving it ? 
But has such a book yet been offered to the pub- 
lic? I think not. I am aware of a few works that 
are occasionally met with, which have given the 
subject a full consideration ; but thej' are written in 
]irofessional language, and, consequeiitl}', can not be 
understood by the general reader. Such are the 
works of Skeavington, White, Coleman, Youatt, 
Dodd, Mason, and others. It is well known they 
are not at all explanatoiy. Besides these, there am 
many small works on Farriery, generally in pam- 
phlet form, and principally filled up with cures. 
These are usually written by farriers or shoeing 
smiths, who are a set of gentry that always have an 
extensive quantity of ignorance to displa}^ as well 
as a great number of infallible receipts, which have 
been handed down to them from their forefathers, 
and are, in fact, considered a kind of extremely val- 
uable property by these "kill or cure" practitioners. 
Whatever may be the merits of the cures they con- 
tain, they are so deficient in the explanation of the 
symptoms of the different diseases as not to be re- 
lied on. Certainly, if any are disposed to use their 
own cure, or that of the farrier, for any disease, the 



3 

first thing is to detenuine that the horse has that 
disease. 

It has been tlie object of the writer of this book 
to express his ideas in as few words as possible — 
conceiving it to be a folly to drag his readers a jour- 
ney of ten miles, when five would answer the same 
purpose. It freciuently happens, both with writers 
and public sjieakers, that a subject, plain in itself, is 
obscured and made to wear a mysterious aspect, by 
a confusion of needless and useless words. This 
mav be considered as a sure sign that the writer or 
speaker is in a mist himself; and no wonder that he 
should throw a mist before the eyes of others. The 
Author has not the vanity to think, however, that 
in every instance he has said no more than was 
necessary, but his I'eaders must give hmi credit for 
liaving endeavored to sa}^ what he has said to the 
point. The volume, such as it is, he commits to the 
world. If any person is disposed to prepare himself 
tor the doctoring of his own horses when diseased, 
he can have no better means of doing so, than by 
the careful study of this work. Division First 
treats of the diseases of the horse, giving a descrip- 
tion of each particular disease, its nature, symptoms, 
mode of distinguishing, and treatment. The treat- 
ment given is the best known, and such as may be 
readily obtained. Also, the cow's sickness in calv- 
ing, and all diseases to which she is liable, the 
symptoms of each disease, and its cure. 



4 

Tlie Author of Ibis book was well known in 
Emgland, at the time of bis three j^ears Dupilage, 
by a number of well-to-do farmers, who now live in 
Lenawee and Jackson Counties, Michigan. These 
farmers resided within three miles ot the Author at 
the time of his pupilage, and were well acquainted 
with the gentleman he studied with, whose name 
was Robert Nicklcson, M. D. 

He would farther remark that he has had over 
twentv 3'ears' extensive practice in both Lenawee 
and Jackson Counties, and would ask the reader 1o 
inquire of any parties whose horses or cattle he lias 
treated, as to his professional character as a horse 
doctor or veterinary surgeon. Their testimonj', one 
and all, will show that his success, in doctoring both 
horses and cattle, has been beyond all expectation ; 
so much so that his friends have urged him, again 
and again, to write a book, in plain language, on 
tlie external and internal diseases of horses and 
cattle. It is believed that the work is iiow ready to 
be placed before the public, as perfect in all its parts 
as it is possible to get it in the present state of oui- 
knowledge of the nature and treatment of the (\h- 
eases of the horse. 

This little work contains receipts for diseases of 
horses and cattle, to the number of sixty or seventh, 
carefully selected from 500 recipes in the Author's 
possession. These receipts are written so as to be pcr- 
fectlv understood bv anv man of common education. 



HINTS TO PURCHASERS OF HORSES. 



To purchase a horse free from blemish and hii- 
l~tei-fection is, hy experience, found to be a task more 
difficult and arduous than the whole art of horse- 
manship; and there is no kind of traffic wherein 
there are so man}' deceptions practiced as in the sale 
of horses. It may not be unsei'viceable, therefore, 
to put down a few directions on this subject. 

In the first place, the horse being before }'ou, take 
your station about three or four paces off, m a line 
with his breast; observe his countenance, that it is 
cheerful, spriahtly, and free from heaviness and 
gloom ; that the ears are thin, small, evenly set, and 
terminate in a point ; for if they are thick, long, too 
closely set to each other and drooping, it is not onlv 
a great deformily, but such a horse will be dull, 
heavy and sleep}'. The face should be lean and free 
from flesh, the forehead broad and rather swelling 
outward; a star or a blaze thereon is considered 
marks of beaut\' and courage ; but if the forehead 
is flat, the face in general flat and cloudy, and bald- 
ness appear on the nose, they are deformities. If 
tl.-e eyes are round, black, shining, not too big, but 
rather protuberant, so that the}' move about their 
orbits w^ith a quick, lively motion, and in doing so, 
little or none of the whites appear, they are good ; 
but if, on the contrary, tliev look yellow cast, dull, 
moist and sunken, they are bad. The nostrils should 
not be so large as upon every little effort to occasion 
the muzzle to become wide, distended, and the in- 
side redness to appear — that being a sure sign of a 
short wind and weakness. The muzzle of the nos- 



trils slimikl be small, and tlie inside free from mois- 
ture ; the upper lip should not liaii<? over the lower 
one, but both meet evenly together, and particularly 
observe that the horse is not shallow-mouthed. 
From the head look down to the chest ; if it is br<^ad 
prominent and muscular, it denotes beauty and 
strength, whereas the narrow chest is an evidence of 
deformity and weakness. The legs being set too close 
together will interfere with the motion of each other, 
and thereby greatly hinder speed, cause the horse to 
stumble, and sometimes to fall. Tlie thighs should 
be fleshy, sinewy, and moderately outward swelling, 
so that upon any little strain or movement of the 
body, the muscles thereof may be clearly discerned, 
for the}^ are signs of strength ; the contrary, weak- 
ness. 'Pai'ticular care should be taken in examining 
the knees, that they are lean, sinewy, close-knit and 
evenly proportioned ; but if they appear swelled, 
and feel soft, as if a ([uantity of wind had collected 
between the skin and the flesh, or if one knee ap- 
pears larger than the other, or looks thin, biistly, 
the hair broken, etc., these are true marks of a 
stumbler, and such a horse ought to be rejected. In 
examining the pasterns, see that they are flat, lean, 
and free from every kind of scab, seam and swell 
ings. They should be strong, straight, and rather 
short, for a long pastern shows weakness, and such a 
horse cannot perform a long journey without tiring. 
Nothing is more essential to be observed In the 
purchasing of a horse, than the formation of the 
hoofs, which are the gr.nnd foundation of the whole 
mechanism of the animal; for if they are bad, super- 
structure, however tinel}' proportioned, can not pos- 
sibly be good. The hoofs shoukl be smooth, tough, 
rather long, deep at the heel, and either black or 
dark brown ; the former are the best proof against 
the effects of hard and bad roads. The white hoofs 
are tender and subject to foundering. The light 
brown ones are brittle, and consequently will not 
carry a slioe well. A round lioof proceeds from 



contraction, and the flat ones slio\v foiuulerlng. If 
the hair of the coronet, or top of the hoof lies 
smooth, close, and the flesh even therewith, it is 
perfect; but if the hair on that part looks thin and 
bristl}', with little scales or scabs on tlie skin, and 
the flesh swelling over the hoof, I would advise you 
not to buy sucii a horse, as the}' are the forerunners 
of ringbones, crown scabs, quittor-bones, etc. Be 
careful, particularly, in examining the bottom of the 
feet; placing j'our thumb on the frog, ccmu press it 
ratjier sharply, in order to discover an^' defect that 
may 1 :e there; tliat they are large, spreading, open, 
and sound. I believe I need not remind yon that 
the spongy, running, and decayed frogs are to be 
rejected. 

You ai'c now to stand about three paces off, in a 
line with the liorse's shoulder, and take a side view 
of him. Tlie neck should be small, and rather short 
tiian long; and particularly observe that no swell- 
ing appears on the setting on of the head. The 
shouldeis should lie rather backward, and come 
ai'ound with a good sweep, and rise well up to tlie 
withers. A horse low in the shoulders will be con- 
tinually getting the saddle on his neck, unless a 
crupper is aflixed to it. This, besides !)eing ver^* 
ungraceful, will cause him to stumble, and very 
probably to break down. Tlx' tail should stand 
rather high, flat, and bending a little inward, which, 
if the horse has a good buttock, it will do ; but on a 
bad buttock, a hog or goose rump, a tail can not 
stand well. They are objectionable deformities. 

You are now to take a view of the hind parts, 
standing at a convenient distance from the horse, 
that you may moi-e advantageously see that the hips 
are broad, round, and even ; also, that the hind legs 
are lean, flat, and sinewy. Be careful that they are 
not fat or swelled, and that one elbow of the hock 
is not larger than the other, that no seams or scars 
appear thereon, and that he is not bow-legged. 

Various are the arts used bv dealers to prevent 



8 
you from discovering the true age of a liorse by liis 
teeth. It is, therefore, useless to write a long dis- 
sertation upon that subject, as it would serve only 
to perplex my reader, rather than to enlighten his 
judgment. The shortest and most certain method 
to judge whether a horse is young or old, is this: 
Turn back both lips, and if the teeth are small, 
white, glossy, and tit evenly together, he is young ; 
but if they are large, long, yellow, irregular]}'" set, 
and the top row project over tlie bottom, the tusks 
yellow or of a blackish color, he is old. 

flaving finished your examination of the horse, 
see him walk and trot in hand, and let not tho 
owner haul his head about, nor be too free with his 
whip ; but see that he leads him carelessly by the 
extreme end of the halter or bridle, as by that means 
you will discover an}' defect that may possibly be 
in the joints, or if he be a stumbler. 



The Stomach. 

The horse's stomach is smaller than that of any 
other animal of his size. It will not contain 
half of the food which he eats at an ordinary meal. 
The value of a horse consists in his speed as well as 
in his strength. We require his services at all 
hours, whether full or fasting; and sometimes when 
journeying we are unable to allow him sufficient 
time for the grinding ol his food, and none for its 
digestion. His stomach is ])laced close against the 
diaphragm — a muscular partition between the 
chest and belly — which by pressing upon the lungs, 
])roduces expiration, and by its contraction the chest 
is enlar<<fed and inspiration is affected. If the sto- 
mach were large, this muscle would not be able to 
perform its office, the bi-eathing would be laborious, 
and the animal in continual danger of suflbcation. 
But it is ail error to suppose that he can always 
work with safety and^ comfort on a full stomacli. 
He excels other animals in this respect, but many a 




Iiorsc is ck'Stroyc'd l)y being hurried after a plentiful 
meal. The structure of a horse's stomach is curious. 
One half of it is a mere store-room for the food. 
Sometimes lie has not time to chew and prepare his 
food for digestion ; and, as it Avere, puts it into this 
receptacle to he softened and made more easy of 
digestion after\Yards. Subsequently it passes into 
the other part of the stomach, where the process ot 
digestion is performed, though only in a partial de- 
gree. It must, however, be fully accomplished 
somewhere, or the animal coul.l not obtain sufficient 
nourishment. 



The Intestines. 

The digestion of the horse's food is further carried 
on in the duodenum, which is the tirst portion of 
the intestines. This organ is larger in the horse 
than in almost any other animal. The i)rocess next 
proceeds in the small intestines, which are often 
sixty-six feet in length; and is further perfected b}" 
passing through the larger intestines. The firs< of 
these, the colon, is of an enormous size, and usuall}" 
will contain twelve gallons of fluid. Here is a re- 
markable contrivance for the retention and more 
perfect digestion of the food. The colon is puckered 
into numerous d^ep cells, through all of which the 
food passes, and in which it is for a while detained. 
The c-iecnm, commonly called the blind gut, lies at 
the end of the large intestines, into which the more 
fluid part of the food is sent. Its still more com- 
]>licated construction of cells is evidently designed 
tor the same purpose. When the food has at length 
readied the last intestines, called the rectum, very 
little undigested food will be found to remain. 



The Liver. 

Two fluids enter the duodenum by small orifices, 
in order to contribute to the process of digestion. 



10 

The Ijile comes directly from the liver, for the horse 
has no gall bladder. His stomach being small, must 
therefore, be ofteuer replenished, and the food miisJ 
be oftener passing on!; of it, and there can be no 
necessity for the gall being kept in a reservoir for 
nse at a distant day. 



Lung Fever. 

This disease is known by the names of Lung 
Fever, Inflammation of the Lungs, and Pneumonia. 
It is an inflannnation of the substance of the lungs, 
or lights, as butchers call them. It may affect either 
the right or lelt lung, or both of tliem. Tliis com- 
plaint is generally preceded by a shivering ; tlie Jin- 
imal appears dull, and droops his liead, and the legs 
and ears are extremely cold. As the disease ad- 
vances, the breathing becomes quick and difficult, 
accompanied by heaving and working of the flanks. 
Tlie mouth feels hot, and the animal is obliged to 
suppress the cough on account of the soreness of his 
lungs. He refuses all food and rarely attempts to 
lie down. The liorse appears moping and disinclined 
to move ; may hang his head under or rest it on the 
manger. As yet, the true nature of the case may not be 
suspected, the liorse being supposed to be only a 
little ailing; but the second stage of the disease fol- 
lows, and more marked symptoms make their ap- 
pearance — the pulse increasing in frequency. This 
is the first stage of the disease, as far as I have gone. 
In the second stage of the disease, the pulse appears 
irregular and almost imperceptible. This marks the 
beginning of the third stage, in which the blood is 
overloaded with poisonous matter, which the lungs 
have lost power to remove. 

Immediately on ascertaining that a horse is at- 
tacked by an inflammation of the lungs, four quarts 
of blood, at least, should be taken at once, and if the 
animal be in high condition, or the difficulty in 
breathing require, this quantity may be increased to 



11 

six quarts. A clyster should next be given, com- 
posed of four ounces of Epsom salts, in thin gruel, 
and repeated everj' three hours, until the bowels 
are freel}' opened. If you have not o-ot the salts, 
use five table spoonfulls of common salt, dissolved 
in the gruel above mentioned. After this the fol- 
lowing pill must be given : Emetic Tartar, one 
drachm; Asafa?tida, one drachm; Ginger, I2 "unce. 
Dissolve in soft soap, sav a tablespoonful, dissolve 
and make into a pill, and give it by pulling out the 
tongue with the left hand, and with the right take 
the pill and give. It must not be supposed that be- 
cause human doctors often give their lung fever pa- 
tients physic, that the same may be done with the 
horse suffering from this disease. If the horse's 
bowels are costive, and it is thought necessary to 
move them, an injection is all that would be safe to 
use. A gallon of warm soap suds mav be used as 
an injection. An active physic would be equal to a 
■sentence of dcatli. 



Pleurisy. 

The Pleurisy may be produced by the same causes 
as the Inflammation of the Lungs. Indeed, inflam- 
mator\^ disorders are always brought on by a sud- 
den suppression of the perspiration. In inflamma- 
tion of the pleura, or membrane which lies in the 
chest, and is hence called Pleurisy, the symptoms 
vary so little from inflammation of the lungs, that 
it is (lifflcult to distinguish between them. Question : 
What is the diflerence in the actions of a horse be- 
tween inflammation of the lungs and the Pleurisy? 
In tlie Pleurisy the horse shows great uneasiness, 
and is continually shifting about. He often strives 
to lie dow^n, but immediately starts up again, and 
turns his head to the affected side ; whereas in in- 
flammation of the lungs the horse is more tranquil, 
and never attempts to lie down. In Pleuris3' a 
horse's mouth is generally parched and dry. but in 



13 ^ 

peripneiimoii}', or inflamed lungs, Aviien opened, n 
roap3^ slune generally runs out in great abundance, 
besides a discharge from the nose, much in tlie same 
way as in a malignant fever, and n red or yellow 
serum, or coagulable lymph, will adhere to the in- 
side of the nostrils. In the Pleurisy, a horse works 
violently at the flanks, is very restless, and his belly 
generally tucked up ; but in peripneumony he al- 
ways shows fullness, and the Avorking of tiie flanks 
is regular, except after drinking, or when he is 
agitated and disturbed by giving him medicine, in 
wliich case the heaving becomes stronger and more 
vehement than at other times ; liis ears and feet are 
for the most part always cold, and he often falls into 
damp sweats, with other symptoms commcm in ma- 
lignant diseases, except that they come more sud- 
denly and with greater violence. 

An inflammatory attack has often been mistaken 
for the gripes ; but the diirerence is easily percep- 
tible, since when a horse is griped he lies down and 
rolls about, and sometimes, when violently attacked, 
his eyes are turned up and his limbs stretched out 
as if dying; cold, clammy sweats appear, and he 
frequently stales and dungs, but with great pain and 
difficulty, until some relief be procured. 

The cure of a Pleurisy and an Inflammation of 
the Lungs is the same, except where accidentally 
symptoms occur to require a variation. Copious 
bleeding is particularly necessary. Give the same 
medicine you did for Lung Fever, or give this : 

Tartar Emetic, 60 grains ; Sweet Spirits of Nitre, 
one ounce ; Tincture of Digitalis, one ounce ; warm 
water, one pint. Mix and give as a drench all at once. 
Take White Liniment and rub on the chest and 
breast. The cold legs should be rubbed with pow- 
dered Cayenne pepper, one ounce in a pint of vinegar. 

The symptoms of this disease and lung fever are 
verj^ nearly tlie same. Indeed, the two diseases may 
both affect the horse at once, commencing at the 
same time, or one commencing and then the other 



13 
coining on afterwards. Such a case Is called pleuro- 
pneumonia. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the 
pleura, or thin, lilistening membrane which covers 
the substance of the lungs, beini^ so intimately con- 
nected with the substance of the lungs, such as cov- 
ering it all over, and the cavity of the chest, it has 
been thought to be of itself a disease in the horse. 
The pleura of the horse is seldom or never the sit- 
uati(m of the disease. If tiie pleura should be dis- 
(■ased, it is in connection with the substance of the 
lungs. Whenever the blood is prevented* from cir- 
culating freely through the lung, it is so important 
an oi'gan that it becomes the origin of several dis- 
eases. The pulse of a horse in Lung Fever differs 
from that in PU'urisy. As the blood is not obstructed 
in its passage througii the lungs as it is in Lung 
Fever, we have not the small, oppressed pulse of 
that disease, but a hard, full pulse, sureh" indicating 
inflammation. The feet and legs are cold, but not 
so cold as in Lung Fever. The membrane of the 
nose is somewhat red, but not so intensely red as 
when the lungs are the seat ot inflammation 



The Colic. 

The Colic is sometimes occasioned by perspiration 
being suddenly checked, from imprudent exposure 
to wet or cold, or drinking a large quantity of cold 
water when tlie body is heated by exercise ; or it 
may be produced by eating too much immediately 
after fatigue, or by bad hay, new corn, or whatever 
is new or prone to fomentation; and sometimes it 
may originate in weak and delicate animals, from 
the formation and confinement of air in the intestines. 

This disease is generall}^ manifested by the horse 
suddenly lying down and rising again, and some- 
times striking his belly with the hind feet; he stamps 
with his fore feet, and refuses every kind of food. 
When the gripes are violent, he throws up his body 
in convulsive motions, his eyes are turned up, and 



14 
liis limbs slrctched out as if d3'ln<>- ; he falls into pro- 
fuse sweats, succeeded by cold shiver in"; tits ; tries to 
stale; turns his head frequently towards his flanks; 
rolls over, and often turns on his back. When the 
indse becomes small and feeble, the horse frequently 
lying- on his back and Yoidinn: small portions of duuij^ 
like gingerbread nuts, his backbone elevated, and 
his legs and ears cold, it is a certain indicatitm that 
inflammaticm has taken place. When mortification 
advances, the animal appears easier and free from 
pain, which is a sure prelude to death. 

In all cases of the colic, clysters should be admin- 
istered with as little delay as possible, and repeated 
every half hour until tlie disorder be removed or 
considerably relieved. Previous to introducing the 
clyster pii)e, the hardened dung in the rectum 
should be cleared away. Give a clj'ster composed 
of thin gruel, 4 quarts, epsom salts, 4 ounces. Re- 
peat this every half liour, and if the symptoms do 
not abate rive the following ball or pill : Opium i^ 
drachm, asaftctida 1 drachm ; to be made into a pill 
with ginger and soft soap. If you have not got the 
opium give one ounce of laudanum, a tablespoonful 
of ground pepper, spirits of turpentine one ounce ; 
mix it in ^2 P'^^^ of water, (six ounces of whisky is 
better.) I have found great btnefit in tlie last reme- 
dy. If the clysters should not have desired eflect, 
take a large onion, peel and quarter it and pass it up 
the rectum, which will speedily stimulate it into ac- 
tion. 

When a horse is taken sick the pulse is the first thing 
I notice, which in spasmodic Colic, seldom becomes 
altered from its natural state, unless the Colic hasex- 
i sted some considerable time, wdien marks of gen- 
eral irritation sometimes present themselves; the 
pulse being somewhat hardened and quickened 
sometimes when the paroxj'sms are on. A slight 
alteration may be then felt, as in the earlier stages 
should the pain be great, but slight alteration occur 
and cease on the pain going off. 



15 

I liave been very particular in describing the 
symptoms, in order that mistakes *may be avoided, 
for, if the horse be under the immediate influence of 
existing spasm, it will in some instances present a 
full bounding pulse, but oftener a wiry though quick- 
ened beat ; both may be taken for inflammation. The 
legs in Colic are but seldom aftected, and never re- 
main cold long at any one time. But the coat 
stares and the horse breaks out frequently into cold 
sweats. He frcciuently attempts to stale without ef- 
fect; at other times he stales frequently. Generally 
the horse is costive, a few of the balls, very dry, 
being forced from him during the spasmodic flts. 

For the cure of Spasmodic Colic, or Gripes, as call- 
ed by some, I would recommend bleeding, and more 
or less liberally according to its violence, or having 
(.'ontinued several hours without mitigation. Exten- 
sive bleeding, be it remembered, is one of the most 
jiowerful relaxers of spasms. In every such case 
bleed liberall}', say at least six quarts, which, if the 
horse be in anything like moderate condition cannot 
do liarm. I have known horses bled in the mouth 
for Gripes, but never saw any good from it. To 
bleed from the jugular vein the most proper place 
for making the opening is where the integument is 
thinnest, which is about a hand's breadth from the 
head, just below the branching oft' of the vein 
to the lower jaw, and which may be distinctly seen 
when any pressure is made on the main branches of 
the vein. In performing the operation with a fleam 
the operator should hold the fleam between the fore- 
finger and thumb of the left hand. With the second 
finger he is to make a slight pressure on the vein, 
and before it becomes to turgid or full, make the 
opening. The same degree of pressure is to be con- 
tinued on the vein till the quantity of blood to be 
taken away is received into a proper measure, when 
you can ascertain the quality as well as the quantity, 
of blood. Some persons tie a ligature around tlie 
neck previous to bleeding from the jugular vein. It is 



16 

to be observed tliat it stops the circulation in botli 
veins at the same time, hence they become turirid and 
full of blood, insomuch that tliey feel under the fin- 
i^er like a tit;ht cord , and as the parts adjoininq; are 
loose and soft, ^vlien the stroke is ijiven to the fleam, 
the vein, by its hardness and tig-htness, slips to one 
f^ide, and of course eludes the stroke ; hence, a deep 
wound is made bv the fleam to no purpose, and this 
is sometimes frecpiently repeated. Unskillful people 
likewise have a custom of wavinu" or shaking the 
blood-stick before they strike the fleam, in view of 
the horse, whose eye is fixed on that instrument, and 
when they intend to give the stroke the}^ make a 
great exertion, and the horse being alarmed by tlie 
motion, raises his head and neck, an/1 disapjioint- 
ment follows. The struggle that ensues from that 
circumstance prolongs the operation ; the ligature at 
the same time being continued around the neck, a 
total stagnation of blood in the vessels of the iiead 
takes place. Therefore, a ligature ought never to be 
used, as a moderate pressure of the finger below the 
orifice will always be sufflcient to make the blood 
lun easily; but if the horse is lying on the ground, 
then a ligature may be necessaiy. In pinning vi}) 
the orifice, some have a custom of raising or draw- 
ing out the skin too f\ir from the V(;in ; hence, the 
blood flows from the orifice in the vein into the cel- 
lular membrane between it and the skin, whicii 
causes a large sw^elling to take place immediately. 

]31eeding is sometimes the quickest method of 
giving relief in the beginning of inflammatory 
fevers, to whicli horses are* very liable; as in all 
violent acute pains, such as the gripes or colic, stran- 
gury or suppression of urine ; in rheumatic com- 
jdaints, where the pain causes stiffness or lameness, 
and wiiich freciuentiy shifts from one limb to an- 
other, or w^here it affects the neck and occasions i:hat 
stiffness and contraction of the muscles which is 
commonly called the chords; in inflammation of the 
e3'es, or in the swellings of the glands about the 



17 
throat, ji.ws, etc.; in inlianinialion of the liver, the 
lungs, tiie pleura, stomach, intestines, kidneys, blad- 
der, or any of the internal viscera; in apoplexy, 
vertigo or giddiness, and in all disorders where the 
head seems to be affected ; in eruptions of the skin, 
called surfeit ; in full habits of the body, where 
])roper exercise has been neglected, and when a 
horse breathes with difficult}' on the least exertion. 
In ail these cases bleed. 

On the other hand, bleeding is to be avoided in 
all cases of inflammatory swellings after matter is 
formed; and it is also to be avoided in all cases of 
weakness or lowness produced by fatigue or disease, 
or after strong evacuations by purging or scouring, 
or diabetes, or excessive staling. Bleeding is also 
improper during the time of horse moulting, or 
shedding his coat ; in fact, it should never be prac- 
ticed unlesss some more substantial '-eason can l)e 
given than the mere plea of custom at certain times 
of the year. 



Diarrhea. 

This disorder may ])roceed from a defective per- 
spiration, from an increased secretion of bile, from 
too violent exertion, from hard riding, over feeding, 
or eating unwholesome food, and sometimes from 
a morbid change in the secretions of the stomach 
and intestines. It may also proceed from drinking 
cold water when heated by exercise, and occasion- 
ally from worms. Sometimes it is tlie critical ter- 
mination of a disease, in which case it proves salu- 
tary, and should not be suddenly checked. 

Diarrhea, though not \yery common, will some- 
times occur. It is indicated by a constant and co- 
pious discharge of dung, accompanied with pain, 
restlessness, and loss of appetite. As the disorder 
increases, the discharge is chiefly mucous, or mixed 
with small, hard lumps of dung covered with a 
greasy matter. When this has been neglected, and 



18 
evjicuations become involuntary, allencled with eokl- 
"jiess of the extremities, a fatal termination will gen- 
erally ensue. This disease is most prevalent in the 
winter, or cold weather. 

Both astringents and violent purgatives are im- 
proper in this disease. Such medicines as invigorate 
the intestines slioukl be employed, A drink may be 
administered every morning for two or three morn- 
ings, composed of Epsom Salts, six ounces, dissolved 
in two quarts of thin gruel. The hoi-se should be 
kept warm ; his diet should consist of bran mashes, 
and his drink should be of thin gruel. After the 
complaint has been somewhat removed, the follow- 
ing pill may be given every day : Gentian, i^ ounce ; 
Columbo Root, % owt\qq\ Powdered Sub-Carbonate 
of Soda, one drachm ; Ginger, one drachm ; Castih.' 
Soap, 32 ounce. Mix. 

Inflammation of the Kidneys. 

This disease may arise from the kidneys being in- 
jured from an miproper use of diuretics, or (n'er 
exertion in drawing too great loads, or hard ridmg ; 
or it ma}^ be occasioned b}' a fever. It is indicated by 
weakness of the back and loins, the horse standing 
with his legs at a considerable dic^Uance from each 
other. The discharge of urine is either wholly pre- 
vented, or in small quantities, and as the inflamma- 
tion increases, becomes bloody, and the voiding it 
more difficult ; the extremities become cold, and cold 
sweats frequcntl.y break out ; the pulse is also quick. 
A relaxation of the kidneys will sometimes occur 
without any inflammation ; but this may easil}^ be 
distinguished from the above, by the urine being of 
its natural color whilst the horse remains at rest in 
the stable, but as soon as he is brought into exercise 
the discharge of the urine is accompanied with blood . 

For the treatment of Inflammation of the Kid- 
neys, your principal sheet anchor is bleeding the 
patient plentifully, to the amount of from four to 



19 
six quarts; ami if the inflammatory symptoms still 
continue for the space of four or five hours, do not 
liesitate to bleed again. After the first bleeding, 
immediately proceed to back-rake and clear the rec- 
tum well; then throw up clysters of warm water, 
until the bowels appear to have free passage. White 
Liniment should be well rubbed on the parts affected. 
Administer Caslile Soap, l^ ^unce ; Barbadocs Aloes, 
four diachms ; Emetic Tartar, two drachms. 



Inflammation of the Bladder. 

An inflamed bladder cannot retain its contents, so 
there is a frequent evacuation of a small quantity of 
urine; and on parsing the hand up tlie rectum, the 
bladder will be found hot and tender, but empty. 
Tlie horse is also commonly observed to have a dis- 
position to dung frequently, as well as to stale, from 
tlie sympathv of the rectum with the bladder. The 
lever is usually considerable, and the pulse is harder 
and luller than naturally, but as the disease proceeds 
it usually becomes oppressed. 

For the cure, bleed according to the height of the 
fever, and if no alteration take place for the better, 
bleed again as the pulse may indicate ; back-rake, 
and throw up clysters of warm water, holding the 
tail down firml}', to prevent their speedy ejection. 
However, if such should be the case, have plenty of 
hot water ready to continue the injections, as in this 
case they' act as fomentations to the bladder, and in 
consequence, greatl}^ tend to relieve it. For internal 
remedies, give the same as in the preceding article. 



Inflammation of the Neck of the Bladder. 

Sometimes the neck of the bladder takes on in- 
flammation alone, and this occurs more frequently 
lo horses than to mares. It is to be distinguished 
from Inflammation of the Kidneys, because in pass- 
ing the hand up the rectum, the bladder will be 



20 

H)iincl cllstonclecl. Tlii;^ will also prcvcmt mistukiiiii' 
it for inflammation of the body of the bladder. The 
frequency of makinf;; a little water will mU, how- 
ever, distinii;uish either of the forec^oin;^ complaints 
from this, as in Intiammation of the Neck of the 
liladder, there is sometimes a small quantity of urine 
evacuated at different times. Take notice here ; for 
after the bladder is distended only a tew drops will 
now and then be squeezed out; but in this disease 
the frequent stalnn>: will not take place until the 
bladder be distended fully, whereas in the former 
disease, it will come on at the very first, and like- 
wise in the latter case the distended bladder may be 
felt even by the belly. Having described the na- 
ture of this disease, tlie treatment is so verv mucli 
the same as the two preceding cases that a repetition 
of them is quite needless, and would be tedious to 
the reader. 



Inflammation of the Liver. 
Tlie liver of the horse is but seldom at first, of 
itself, aftected with inflammation, though when 
other great abdominal inflammation takes ))lace, 
then this often participates. With regMrd to the 
symi)toms of this disease or complaint, they gener- 
ally commence in appearance not very unlike a 
slight attack of Inflammation of the Bowels, but un- 
attended with that rising up and laying down, which 
attends the latter disease. Still, the horse is apt 
frequently to turn his head to his right side, evinc- 
ing pain ; also, if you turn him around in his stall, 
tothe right liand, he will do it with great difliculty, 
plainly showing the pain he is laboring under. The 
extremities are generally cold ; considerable heav- 
ing at the flanks ; the pulse is quick and hard ; the 
mouth hot, attended with a yellowness of the lining 
of the membrane covering the same ; the nostrils 
and conjunction of the e3'e also participate in this 
yellow tinge ; these appearances being one grand 



21 
rule to lead to the discovery of the disease the horse 
is laborins; under. This disease is tVeqnently at- 
tended with coslivcucss, and in consc(iuenee of tlie 
secreted bile not passins; ofl' in the usual way. 1k'- 
comes absorbed into I he system, and lience thai 
yellowness of tl<e skin and tiner membranes men- 
tioned just now. But occasionally in this disease, 
morbid secretion is set up, and the horse duuij^ be- 
comes remarkably black, attended with an exceed- 
in.fjly disigreeable smell. If the disease should ter- 
minate in violent discharires of the above named 
black, fuHid stools, the hon^^e frequently becomes a 
victim to the disease in about two or three days. If 
the extremities are not invariably cold, and the 
weakness not extreme (which, I am sorry to say, is 
too freciuently tlie case,) but if the languor increase, 
and the extremities can not be made warm, and if 
the breath is hot and disasrreeable, these symptoms 
are decidedly against the recovery of the horse. 

For the cure of Intlamed Liver, we must tirst 
bleed to the full extent of the power of the animal . 
antl if thought to be necessary, repeat in five or six 
hours. Apply the White Liniment to the right side, 
where the liver lie<. If costiveness should appear, 
back-rake and throw Uj) clysters of salt and water 
ever}' three hours. Tiien give Blue Pill, 2 drachms ; 
Cape Aloes, :] drachms, and form into a pill, and re- 
})eat every six hours until it operates. In those cases 
where purging lias commenced, the bleeding should 
be more moderate and sparing, unless the intlamma- 
tion runs high, in which case your discretion must 
be l)rought into action. Give night and morning, if 
the horse should appear weak and much debilit.ited, 
take the following: Aloes, six drachms; Sulpliate 
of Iron, six drachms. Give in a pill. 



Jaundice, 
This disease is usually attended with some locil 
affection of the liver. It may proceed from wmt of 



22 

free perspiration, or from .•inythinf> that creates se- 
vere action, especially from the liver. Sometimes 
it is occasioned by high feeding or habitual costive- 
ness. This complaint is seldom dangerous in 3'oung 
liorses, but a perfect euro is rarely eftected in old 
horses, since in such cases it generally arises from a 
diseased state of the liver. Thi^ disease is generally 
termed the Yellows. It is indicated by the eycs ap- 
pearing of a dusky yellow color, the inside of the 
mouth and lips are also yellow ; the animal appears 
dull and sluggish, and refuses all kinds of food ; his 
nrine is of a dark brownish color, and when lodged 
on the ground seems like red blood ; he also stales 
with difficulty, and his dung is very hard, and of a 
pale yellow color. The pulse is irregular, and he is 
attended with fever in a greater or less degree. If 
the disease and fever increase, unless speedily re 
moved, death will undoubtedly ensue. 

A modern writer observes: "The signs of the 
Jaundice in horses are a dusky yellowness of the 
ej^es, the inside of the mouth and lips ; the tongue 
and bars of the roof of the mouth also look yellow. 
But it is necessary to distinguish between the yellow- 
ness of the Jaundice, and that j'cllowness of the 
mouth and eyes w hich sometimes happens on the 
crisis of an inflammatory fever, where the inflamed 
parts look yellow when the lever and inflammation 
are going oft'. When this happens after a fever, the 
liorse generally recovers his appetite, looks lively, 
and the fever leaves liim. In the decline of an in- 
flammatory fever, a horse dungs and stales freely. 
In the Jaundice the dung is generally hard and dry, 
and of a pale yellow^ color, nearly white. The urine 
is commonly of a dark, dirty brownish color, and 
Avhen it is settled sometime on the pavement, it looks 
red like blood. lie also stales wMth some pain and 
difficulty, and if the disease be not soon checked, all 
the symptoms will increase very rapidly." 

I should bleed in the first stage of the complaint, 
especially if it should be accompanied by fever. 



After this <;ive a laxative clyster, and for physic 
Aloes, two ounces ; Ginc^er, one ounce. 



Swelling of the Breast. 

This disorder usually proceeds from hard riding, 
allowing a horse to drink cold water when hot, a 
stopjjage of the perspiration, or foul feeding without 
proper exercise. It is indicated by an enlargement 
c»f the breast, and the neck becoming stifl' and in- 
capable of reaching tlie ground ; the horse also drops 
liis head, refuses to eat, trembles with his whole 
body, and falters in his fore legs whilst walking. 
Occasionally the swelling extends towards the throat 
and threatens suftbcation. If t!)e swelling yields to 
the finger and the impression remains, it is a sign 
that it is dropsical, and the disease is then called the 
Water Farcy. 

The cure is copious bleeding and the administra- 
tion of clysters. For jdiysic, give Castile Soap, two 
drachms; Aloes, eight drachms; Ginger, one drachm 
in a pill. If the swelling be dropsical, a fleam may 
be struck into the skin in four or five places where 
the swelling hangs most down, and from these places 
a serious discharge will take place. Rub on White 
Liniment, so that the absorbent vessels may be well 
stimulated. 



Coughs. 

Tiic principal causes of coughs may be attributed 
to sudden changes of temperature, especially when 
cold is applied to the body whilst in a state of per- 
spiration ; or it may be occasioned by entering a 
warm stable after the animal has been some time 
exposed to the cold air. It will sometimes proceed 
from greas}' or farc}^ humors being lodged in the 
body, or it may be caused by an internal irritation. 
Chronic cough must not be confounded with the 
cough which occurs in other diseases, as catarrh, 



24 

inliueuza, bronc.lnlis, strangles, etc. This aflVction 
is known by a continued co'igli, mostly of a harsh, 
dry character, but in some cases a thick mucus is 
thrown out from tlie nose. The cough is mostly dry 
at tirst, and will sometimes continue so; but more 
generally, when the complaint is of some standing, 
the horse will cough up a frothy, white mucus. The 
pulse is not always affected in the disease, but is 
usually fuller and harder than naturally. A chill- 
iness and trembling are frequently manifested at the 
commencement of this disorder. 

When a cough has existed for a considerable 
period, and the horse shows no otlier ])articular 
symptoms of disease, but retains his usual appetite, 
it is denominated a chronic cough, which frequently 
terminates in broken wind. In a cough of this de- 
scription the lungs are generally affected, and there 
is a quickness in l)reathing, but the nostrils are not 
much affected or distended. The cough is short and 
Imsky, causing the animal to sneeze frequently, and 
phlegm is discharged through the nostrils. AVlien 
the animal appears hide-bound, his appetite failing, 
and his legs swelling, it is evident that the complaint 
proceeds from a bad habit of body. When a cough 
results from worms, it will be soft, and aceompanied 
with a frothy mucus ; the horse's coat will be star- 
ing, and other symptoms of worms be present. A 
cough resulting from deranged digestion is harsh 
and hard, and very violent, and generally occurs 
after eating, when the stomach is distended and 
pressmg on the lungs. 

The causes of this disease have been sufficiently 
explamed in giving the description and symptoms. 
In a cough depending on Irritation of the air pas- 
sages and lungs, following other diseases, give this : 
Take Tartar Emetic, one ounce ; Resin, two ounces ; 
Bloodroot, one ounce ; Salts of Tartar, two ounces ; 
Ginger, two ounces. Mix and give a teaspoonfuU 
three times a day in the feed. When the cough re- 
sults from worms, treat the patient for worms, and 



25 

then give tlic above. When the cough is dependant 
on derangement or the digestive organs, give the 
following pill : Venice of Turpentine, two drachms; 
Asafetida, two drachms , TJquorice Powder, two 
drachms; Sulphur, one drachm. Mix in a pill, nnd 
give every olher night for four or five times. It will 
generally be found^ nsef'd. The horse is to have 
bran mashes, or carrots, if they can be procured. 



Consumption. 

Consumption ma}' proceed from various causes; 
from colds imperfectly cured, or from the influence 
of the Farcy or Glanders fixing on the lungs. Hot 
and irritable horses are most subject to this disease, 
as they generally exhaust themselves by too great 
exertion. The first observable symptoms are a de- 
gree of hide-bound, with the common unthriftiness 
«f the coat. After a while, a slight cough ma}' be 
observed, and the muscles may be observed to be- 
come liabby, the horse losing strength, and sweating 
on the least exertion. The breathing becomes more 
rapid and laborious, with slight heaving at the flanks. 
The cough becomes worse, but short and dry ; the 
pulse will be found small and increased in frequency. 
The horse is down in spirit, and is evidently sick. 
Pressing on the spaces between the ribs will show 
signs of tenderness in the chest. The appetite is 
sometimes good, but at other times very poor. As 
the disease advances, all the symptoms become ag- 
gravated ; the horse loses strength rapidly, the cougli 
becomes worse, the breath very ofl'ensive, and a thick 
corruption, like matter, is discharged from the nose. 
Diarrhea, dropsical swellings on the legs, and great 
waste of the flesh take place, and death removes the 
doomed victim. Such are the ordmary symptoms 
of Consumption, and it is to be hoped they will be 
sufficient to enable the ordinary observer to detect 
the existence of this formidable disease. 

For the treatment, the horse should be kept niod- 
4 



20 
oratei}' wanu, snid luive hvnn inaslics ;ind vvatci* 
Avith the chill taken off. The followinir pill may lu' 
administered ever}^ other night for tliree or four 
times, and then omitted for a few nights, and re- 
peated again if necess;n\y : Emetic Tartar, one 
drachm ; Asafetida, one diaclim ; Liqnorice Powder, 
two drachms; Giiigei', one drachm. The whole to 
be mixed np with mola.<ses. 



Loss of Appetite. 

This disease is generally tern\ed Chronic Indiges- 
tion, and is indicated by a want of aj^petite, and also 
a roughness and staring of tlie coat. Should the 
horse have no inflammatory complaint, and it is evi- 
dent that the loss of appetite arises from a weakness 
of the stomach, a cordial pill may be given every 
(lay, composted of Carraway Seeds, powdered, six 
drachms; Ginger, two drachms; Sweet Oil, two 
teaspoonfulls ; Molasses sulficient to make the pill. 
Or the following : Cumin Seeds, four ounces; An- 
nis Seeds, four ounces ; Carraway Seeds, four ounces ; 
Ginger, two ounces. Mix, and divide into pills, two 
ounces each. Give one everv other day. 



Plethora. 

This disorder is somewhat [)revaknt in horses, 
and may be said to arise from tlieir being i)ampered 
with high living, in order that they may look well 
and appear in liigh condition When a horse be- 
comes fat, gross, and full of blood, he is called jile- 
thoric. In this state the veins are full and distended, 
the pulse becomes full and strong, though it is oc- 
casionally much slower than is natural. Everj' ex- 
ertion the animal makes is done with great difRculty, 
and fatigue, and exhaustion are soon apparent. If 
put to hard labor, he is soon wearied, and will some- 
times die on the road ; otherwise he becomes bro- 
ken winded, or is attacked by the apoplexy or an 
inflammation of the lungs. Should no symptoms of 



approachinii: npoplexy be visible, it is tlicn ad- 
visable to diminish the aiiimars diet o-raduall}', 
and inerease his exercise or labor reg-ularlj'. Eleed- 
Ing, if it can be avoided, is not altogether proper, 
since it has a tendency to produce the same state it 
is employed to check. Should the sym})lomsapi)ear 
<langerous, similar precautions must be used as are 
observed in cases of the Staggers or Apoplex3\ 



The Vives. 

This disease usually proceeds from similar causes 
as the Strangles, such as catching cold, being over 
heated or over worked. Though this complaint is 
most incident to young horses, it sometimes attacks 
those more advanced in years, though they may 
have had the Stiani2:les sometime previous. It may 
be distinguished from the Strangles by the greater 
violence of the cough, combined with an equal diffi- 
culty in swallowing. Vives, then, is an intlamma- 
tion and enlargement of the parotid glands, situated 
and commencing at the base of the ear, and con- 
tinued down to the angle of the jaw. This disease 
IS by old farri(;rs called the Bastard Strangles; but 
this is an error, for they have no affinity to Stran- 
gles in any way. They never suppurate, but they 
occasion great pain to the horse whilst eating, in 
consequence of the acticm of the jaw continually 
l)ressing on the enlarged gland. These swellings at 
times become so fixed that a cough and considerable 
irritation is produced about the anterior part of the 
epiglottis, (the part that covers the windpipe in the 
act of swallowing, to prevent food from passing 
down that tube,) ancl when food comes in contact 
with it, a cough is almost sure to take place, and the 
irritation is consequently so great that the horse will 
cough repeatedly. 

Apply to the enlarged glands the following : Take 
Ammonia, one ounce; Olive Oil, four ounces. Rub 
about two tablcfspormfulls of this liniment on each 



28 
glaiul nioMii!)^ and night, and take Aloes,6 drachms; 
Ginger, one drachm ; form into a pill with soft soap 
and giv'c. 



The Strangles. 
This disease in indicated by a degree of fever, a 
painful cough, and a great thirst, with a difficulty of 
swallowing liquids, and loss of appetite. The in- 
flammation sometimes occurs on the inside of the 
jaw-bone ; at other times between the jawbone, that 
is on the submaxillary glands, whicli is considered 
the most favorable location for the tumor. Some- 
times the parotid glands arc affected, and swell up 
as high as the roots of the ear; the breathing is la- 
borious, accompanied with a considerable noise in 
the throat ; the nostrils are distended, and the eyes 
appear as though they were fixed in the head. That 
is what old f\irriers term Vives. When this disorder 
discharges itself at the nose, it is called Bastard 
Strangles, and if neglected or improj^erly treated, 
occasionally ends fatally, by affecting the lungs and 
bringing on Consumption. I could mention a num- 
ber of horses in the town of Cambridge, Mich., that 
have died from improper treatment of this disease. 
This disease rarely proves fatal. If colts while at 
grass are attacked by the Strangles, nature generally 
effects a cure, the abscess breaks of its own accord, 
and the animal recovers in a few days. When the 
colt is affected on being taken into the stable, or 
whilst breaking, should the attack be violent and 
the animal strong and full of flesh, about two quarts 
of blood may be "taken, and the following purge ad- 
ministered : Ginger, one drachm : Aloes, four 
drachms ; Molasses, four drachms. At the same 
time the swelling shoukl l»e fomented frequently 
with hot Smartweed poultice made with bran ; or 
the swelling may be dressed three times a day with 
White Liniment, a tablespoon full at a time. If the 
tumor breaks, all the matter should be pressed out, 
and if the orifice is too small, make it larger. 



29 
Suppression of Urine. 

This complaint may arise from a variety of causes* 
as whatever has a tendency to aft'ect the parts about 
the neck and bladder — particularly matters of food 
or drink ; blows on the parts ; the contraction pro- 
duced by spasms of the muscles in the parts, and 
others of the same nature. It is indicated by gcreat 
uneasiness, irritation, and loss of appetite, with 
eitlier a partial or total suppression of urine. 

Clysters and mild purges should first be adminis- 
tered, for the ]>urposc of clearing out the bowels ; 
after which the following may be used : Camphor, 
three drachms; Opium, i)()wdered, one scruple ; hard 
soap, sliced, six drachms ; Nitrate of Potash Powders, 
three drachms ; Liquori; e Root, powdered, ^2 ounce ; 
Copaiba, enough to make a pill, which must be given 
once a da v. During the course of these medicines, 
it is well to have some flannel cloths frequently 
squeezed out of some hot fomentations of Smart- 
weed, and applied to the parts, between the legs of 
the horse, as near the neck of the bladder as may 
be. Give bran mashes, and water with the chill 
taken off, may be given sparingly to drink. 



Excessive, or Profuse Staling. 

It is easily known by the abundant discharges of 
rather pale urine, attended with coldness of the skin, 
and a staring in the hair of the coat. AVhen the 
complaint is of long standing, great weakness of the 
body is produced, with loss ot appetite. 

On the first appearance of this disease give Opium, 
powdered, one drachm; Alum, three drachms. Mix 
it into a powder, and give once a day in one half 
pint of warm gruel, made out of corn meal. The 
bran mash twice a day must not be forgotten. 

Wounds. 

The proper treatment of Wounds, in general, is 
undoubtedly a branch of the first importance in the 
practice of Farriery; yet very few understand it 



m 

)>(;rfcctly, and many absurd and injurious opinions 
are entertained respecting- them. It must depend 
principally <'n tliti parts where the wounds are in- 
flicted, and the torni of the instrument by whi(;h 
they were jiroduced, in order to state a judicious 
meiliod for tlK^ir treatment A clean cut made in 
the muscular parls is speedily cured by applying 
small slips of sticking' plaster as soon as ])ossible, by 
which the edges of the wound may be kept close 
lou(!ther; or if a plaster can not readily be applied, 
a stitcli or two may be taken tl)rou^j;h the edges of 
tlie wound, and the strings gently tied together. 
When tlie edges adhere, the strings must be cut away 
and the lioles caused by them will soon close. Should 
any blood vessel be consideiably wounded, it would 
be necessary to secure- it by a ligature, if Dossible, 
rnther than the apulication of any styptic substance. 
It is necessMiy tliat all wounds should be carefully 
(•leaned beforii any attemj^t is made to li(;al them. 
The wound is sometimes so situated that there is no 
])ossil)ility of sewing it up; but generally in these 
cases, silver or steel ])ins may be passed from the 
edges about an inch apart from each other, and a 
thread twisted cn^sswise from one end to the other, 
in order to form what is termed the twisted suture. 
In every case wheie sutures are used, it is requisite 
that a sticking plaster should be applied over the 
j'dges of the wound. Should the wound not Ileal by 
these methods a formation of matter will occur, and 
the sore must be afterwards treated as a common 
nicer— care being taken that its edges are always 
kept as near together as possible, by the application 
of a bandage or sticking plaster. When the tendon 
is wounded, it is proper to foment it with warm fo- 
mentations of Smartweed and bran. Spirituous ap- 
plications and violent caustics are usually improper. 
Apply Black Oil to the wound twice a day. Wounds 
in the joints, though apparently trilling, are some- 
times dangerous and difficult to cure; for their relief 
apply Black Oil four times a day. 



81 
Disorders of the Eyes. 

Disorder!-; of Ihie; kind are of such inii)orlnnoe rhnt 
it is hi2;ldy essential that correct causes should be as- 
certained. In some cases a plethoric state of the 
body has a predisposition to inflame the eyes, ;md 
consequently it is frequently met with in horses five 
or six jears old, at which age they usually cease 
growing, and are tiierefore more liable to a fullness 
of blood than at any other period. An inflammation 
of the eye will occasionally appear on a sudden : at 
other times the attack is gradual. The earliest synqi- 
toms which indicate this conq^laint are a swelling of 
the eyelids, but more es|)ecially of the upper, which 
can only with difiiculty be kept open; the eyes 
water, and drops of tears are i>erfectly visible at the 
extremity of the lachrymal duct, which are not ap- 
parent in a healthy state; the eyes are of a bhick, 
glassy appearance, and become obscure and discol- 
ored ; they sometimes appear of a dull white, and at 
other times they seem brown or blueish. Red ves- 
sels are visible over the white of tlie eye, particular!}'" 
at the corners, and occasionally extending to the 
center. The horse holds his head down to guard 
against the light, while he is in this state. The ball 
of the eye uiid tlie eyelids are considerably hotter 
than they generally are, and a small quantity of 
thickish matter is sometimes visible tlirough the 
corner towards the latter part of the anterior cham- 
ber of the eye. The cartilagineous membrane can 
now be perfectly discerned, by its projecting consid- 
erably outward from the corner of the eye. 

When the disease has proceeded thus far, it will 
sometimes happen that it totally disappears and re- 
turns again in a short time. The disap[)earanc(! of 
inflammation in the eye of this animal is so sudden, 
that the same eye which one day appears consider- 
ably inflamed, will sometimes be perfectly clear and 
healthy on the following day. It will occasionally 
appear and disappear periodical!}'; and thus some 
liave been led to suppose tliat it is afteeted by the 



33 

niooii-blintlness. However, should the disease con- 
tinue and attain the length before observed, the in- 
llanimation proceeds, and the cornea graduall3' be- 
comes more obscure, or it v, ill frequently happen 
that the cornea recovers its transparency, and the 
crystaline humor becomes opaque. One eye onlj'^ is 
irenerally attacked in the horse at once; and this 
disease is more prevalent amongst young horses than 
those more advanced in years. Sometimes we find 
men who state that the inflammation of the eye 
never occurs in horses until they are bn^ke in, or 
taken from the pastures in which they have remained 
from birth. 

The horse is generally attacked with this disorder 
in tiie night time, and it is usually thought to be of 
but little moment at first — the owner supposing the 
eye to liave l)een injured b}^ the halter or by rubbing 
against the manger or stall ; but I never knew tlie 
disease to be produced by a foreign body, and as to 
producing it by blows, it is exceedingly difiicult to 
wound the eye ; but if it should be occasioned by a 
blow, there will be an abrasion on the external sur- 
face, and upon examining this, you will easily deter- 
mine how^ to proceed. Take Extract of Saturn, four 
drachms, and spring water sufBcient to fill a common 
sized wine bottle. Apply it five or six times a day. 
Or take Sulphate of Zinc, one ounce, and dissolve in 
the same quantity of w ater ; either of which, if the 
inflammation arises from a bhnv, will effect a cure 
in a few days. Bleeding will prove serviceable in 
the early stages of this disease, but except the horse 
be in high condition, it should not be repeated. The 
veins at the corners of the eye should be opened for 
tlie purpose of drawing blood from that part. The 
best thing in the shape of lotion I could discover, is 
the following : Take common Salt, a tablespoonfull, 
and half as much spring water as will fill a common 
sized wine bottle. Bathe the e3'es several times a day 
with the above, or you may take either of the lo- 
tions prescribed for blows in the eyes. I have de- 



33 

lived the nust satisfactory results by using the fol- 
lowing;: Take Tartar Emetic, one drachm; Hog's 
Lard, one ounce ; form into an ointment and rub on 
the horse's cheek, and also underneath the eye, until 
small pimples arise. Great care must be taken to 
prevent it from getting in the eyes. 



Splents. 

The Splent generally attacks young horses, espe- 
ciall}^ on the fore legs, and may arise from their be- 
ing more exposed to concussion, the weight of the 
body being thrown upon them during progression. 
This disease is generally apparent on the side of the 
shank bone, sometimes just below the knee. An 
enlargement of the bone will frequently take place. 
It is sometimes situated under tlie ligament or ten- 
don, and is almost invariably attended with a degree 
of inflammation. Before the excrescences appear 
that displace a tendon, the horse will be lame; but 
much skill and experience are requisite to discover 
the exact part affected. When they are seated in 
the middle part of the shank bone, they are less 
painful and dangerous than when near the joints, 
but are more productive of lameness than in other 
cases. In 3'oung colts, Splents sometimes disappear 
of their own accord, being absorbed by a natural 
action of the vessels. 

The most efficacious remedy is to administer a 
blister, which is to be composed of Cantharides, pul- 
verized, 1^ ounce, mixed with Sweet Oil. Cut the 
hair off close all around the leg, and rub the blister 
in with the hand for about ten minutes ; then tie the 
horse's head short close to the rack, lest he blister 
his mouth and blemish his leg by biting it. On the 
following day dress the part with hog's lard. If the 
Splent has not been of a long standing, take Spirits 
of Turpentine, one ounce ; Olive Oil, two ounces ; 
rub on this liniment night and morning, and apply 
a woolen bandage moderately tight around the leg. 



PA 
Have the shoe removed, and apply a thick heeled 
one, as it will relieve the parts amazingly. If you 
have got English Black, apply that once a day until 
the part is blistered ; then apply hog's lard twice a 
i{i\y, to keep the blister running and soften the skin. 



The Ring Bone. 

This disease has much similarity in its nature and 
causes to the preceding, and is most to be feared in 
large-boned, heavy legged hoises. It is an enlarge- 
ment of the lesser pastern bone, near the coronet of 
the hoof, and in general extends around the fore part 
of the hoof in the form of a ring. When formed 
more externally', and the ligamentous parts that join 
the hoof and the fleshy substance are aifected, it is 
somewhat dangerous to such parts; but when thej' 
rise on the pastern and do not spread down to the 
coronet, there is no danger to be apprehended. 

Blistering or firing are the only cures. Apply the 
same medicine as in Splents, if you have got it. 



Stiff Joints. 

This disease is generally occasioned b}^ some ac- 
cidental injuiy done to the joints by wounds, punc- 
tures, or similar causes, occasioning the requisite 
lubricating fluid belonging to such parts to discharge 
itself outwardly, and thus by the action of the air, 
considerable irritation and inflammation is excited. 
When the joint is wounded it should be attended to 
Avilhout delay, to prevent the discharge of this joint 
oil, or joint water, as some call it. 

The best medicine to stop joint oil is to apply No. 
1 Black Oil ; or, if you have not this, apply Nitrate 
of Silver or Muriate of Antimony. The best method 
to use the latter is to apply it wi<h a wooden skewer, 
making the point of it wet without getting it into 
the wound. 



o.) 

Strains in the Back Sinews. 
Strains are usually produced by some violent ex- 
ertion — galloping on a hard road, or by a blow trom 
the toe of the Jiind foot, which will occasionally 
happen on a hard road, when the fore leg is kept too 
long in the ground by sticking in the cla3^ This 
generally occurs just above the fetlock joint, but the 
external appearance usually point out the seatot the 
disease. The inflammation ought to be removed by 
w^arm fomentation and bi'an jjoultices, and after it 
has entirely subsided the following may be applied : 
Crude Sal-Ammoniac, one ounce ; Vinegar, one pint; 
mixed in a bottle. Or the following maybe used: 
Camphor, two ounces; Alcohol, one pint; mix to- 
gether for use. The part to be rubbed twice daily, 
a bandage dipped in vinegar bound around the leg. 



The Thorough-Pin. 

This usually t;ikes place on account of some par- 
ticular weakness or relaxation in the ligament sur- 
rounding the joint, and wiien pressed by the finger 
it disappears, but returns on immediately withdraw- 
ing it. This is a soft, flexible swelling, and appears 
on the Iw^o opposite sides of the hock joint at the 
same time — being supposed to pass entirely through 
the joint, thus deriving the name Thorough-Pm. 
There is rarely much lameness produced b}'" this 
disease. The most certain cure is blistering. The 
liniment used to be composed of Cantliaridcs and 
Spirits of Wine, as I have recommended for Splents. 
Black Oil I have found to be as good as anything, 
excepting White Liniment. 



Venomous Bites, Stings, and Bite of a Mad Dog. 

The bite of a rattlesnake or adder may be easily 
cured, if early attended to, by rubbing on the affected 
part, or the whole limb, Black Oils. Rub on one 
halt ounce three or four times a day. 



36 
Windgalls. 
These most commonly proceed from immoderate 
labor ; working iiorses too young ; or allowing them 
to stand too much upon uneven tioors, causing the 
fetlock joints to remain too long on a stretch, in- 
stead of being in a state of relaxation. These gen- 
erally arise in small, putfj" swellings, or enlarge- 
ments, immediately above the fetlock jomts, and 
appear in both the fore and hinder legs, though gen- 
erally in the ff)rmer. They are not, however, con- 
fined to these parts, but are sometimes met with in 
the hocks, near the knees, and in other places — in 
most cases existing without any degree of pain. In 
slight cases, washes of a cold, strong, astringent kind 
may be found sufficient to remove this complaint, 
but in inveterate cases, blistering and firing are the 
only efiectual cures. 



Blood Spavin. 
This generally arises in consequence of over- 
straining and exertion, or from bruises or other local 
injuries on the parts, causing considerable weakness. 
It appears like a small, soft swelling, or enlargement 
of the thigh vein, in that part where it runs over 
the inside of the hock joint, and is easily distin- 
guished by its giving way and disappearing in some 
measure, on pressure below it, and returning again 
on its removal. This disease is of rare occurrence, 
and never produces lameness. Repeated blistering 
is also necessar}' in this case, and is the onl}' sure 
remedy. 



Bog Spavin. 
This disease is more frequent than is the Blood 
Spavin, and generally proceeds from similar causes. 
Nearly the same symptoms are generally apparent 
in this case as in the preceding. It is attended with 
a degree of inflammation, which causes an encysted 



swellinii: or enlari!:ement of the capsules, or tlie 
membraneous bags that contain and afford the syn- 
ovia that lubricates the joints at the upper and inner 
side of the hock. AVhen there is ccmsiderable in- 
flammation, fomentation and poultices must be ap- 
plied, after which blistenno; will remove the disease. 
But if matter be collected, the whole must be opened 
and the cysts with their contents slouc»hed away by 
the use of dressings moistened with Spirits of Tur- 
pentine and similar matters, and eschorotic substan- 
ces, «uch as dried Alum and Sulphate of Copper, 
should occasional]}' be put into the parts. 



The Curb. 

This disease usually occurs from protracted and 
excessive working in the field or on the road, or 
from local injury done to the parts. The C'urb is 
most common in young horses, especially such as 
are cow-hoofed, and appears in small swellings on 
the back part of the hock. It generally causes a 
degree of lameness in proportion to the inflamma- 
tion of the parts, and which rarely gives way of its 
own accord. In most cases where Curbs are not of 
too long standing, they may be removed by the ap- 
plication of blisters, or blistering liniments, but in 
inveterate cases tirinir will be absolutelv necessarv. 



The Coffin-Joint. 

This may be considered as a ligamentary lameness. 
In this the horse stands with his toe pointing for- 
ward, thus keeping the pastern in a straight line 
with his leg, and taking off the tension of the liga 
ments which unite the coffin-bone with the lower 
pastern-bone, becomes ossified, when the use of the 
joint is entirely lost. Should the complaint exist 
any length of time, it is almost incurable ; blistering 
should be repeatedly applied as early as possible, 
around the coronet, until the disease be removed. 



38 
The String Halt. 

This complaint is indicated by the liorse suddenly 
catcldng up the hinder leg higher than is necessary 
while walking. The cause of this disease is exceed- 
ingly obscure, and it has always been considered as 
incurable. 



Lameness in the Hip Joint. 

During lameness in this part the horse drags his 
leg after him on the toe. The application of Cam- 
phorated Spirits of Wine, or Blistering Liniment is 
the l/cst remedy. Lameness in this joint is often 
mistaken for lameness in the hock, but the symp- 
toms are quite different. 



Lameness in the Shoulder. 

Lameness in this part is not very frequent. It is 
easil}' distinguished from lameness in any other part 
])y the horse dragging his toe and moving his foot 
in an outward, circular manner at every step. My 
practice is to bleed in tlie vein near the shoulder, 
and then apply the following: Spirits of Camphor, 
two ounces; Tincture of Oi^ium, three drachms; 
mixed in a bottle for use. Where there is a great 
stiftness in the parts, the following mixture will be 
more efficacious: Oil of Origanum, two drachms; 
Olive Oil, two and one-half ounces; Spirits of Am- 
monia, three drachms. Mixed and put in a bottle 
for use. 



The Grease. 
Heavy horses with round, fleshy legs, are more 
subject to this disease than any other kind of horses. 
It may be occasioned by sudden changes from heat 
to cold ; the too sudden change from a generous to 
an impcwerished diet ; and from constitutional de 
bility. It generally attacks horses in the Spring and 



39 

Autumn, find may, in most cases, be alliibutcd to 
the want of proper cleanliness and exercise. The 
approach of this disease is inc-[icated by the horse 
raisino; his foot frequently from the ,:2:round, and 
evincin^^ great pain and uneasiness when restinc; 
upon it. Swelling" and inllammation of the heel 
about the fetlock follow, which afterwards break out 
and discharge an oily matter of a peculiarl}' offen- 
sive smell. When tlie inflammation is extended to 
the cellular membrane under the skin, the pain and 
lameness are ver}^ severe. The afi'ected part is soon 
brought to an abscess, and bursting, leaves a deep, 
ill-looking ulcer. In this disease the hinder legs are 
most commonly attacked, and the pain is sometimes 
so severe as to prevent the horse lying down, thus 
causing the swelling to increase and the disease to 
advance. 

Slight affections of the Grease may generalh"" be 
removed by a poultice of boiled bran and flax-seed, 
powdered, constantly applied and kept moist with 
warm water, and occasionally a mild diuretic may 
be given : Saltpetre, i^ ounce ; Resin, 32 ounce, 
powdered ; to be given in the feed. After the in- 
flammation is abated, the following astringent lotion 
should be applied : Alum, powdered, 1.2 ounce ; 
White Vitriol, one ounce; Vinegar, eight ounces ; 
Water, four ounces. Some prefer Vinegar, 6 ounces; 
Sugar of Lead, four ounces ; Water, one quart. Mix. 



Sand Cracks. 

This disease is a partial division of the wall of the 
hoof, commencing at the coronet, and usually ex- 
tending half way down the wall. When allowed to 
increase it produces lameness, and an inveterate Sand 
Crack will sometimes terminate in an ulcer, which, 
if not prevented, ultimately destroj's the cartilages 
and bones of the foot. When the hoof is deformed 
bv the ulcer, or quittor, and one part rendered higher 
than the other, it is called a False Quarter. When 



40 
the frog becomes diseased it is called a Runninjr 
Thrush. An old and inveterate Sand Crack, pene- 
trating between the horny and fleshy parts of the 
foot, is denominated a Canker, That part of the 
hoof which is cracked must be cut down to the 
(i|uick, and dressed witli tow dipped into Black Oil, 
Or take Spirits of Turpentine, two ounces ; Lard, 
two ounces ; and simmer together. 



Contracted Feet. 

A tendency to this disease is formed in some horses 
from tile thickness of the wall of the hoof, but it 
may proceed from some disorder in the internal 
parts of the hoofs ; from the pavement of the stall 
sloping too much ; hardness and dryness in the horn, 
and is frequently increased by the use of the hollow 
webbed shoes, which do not fit properly on the heels. 
This disease is very common, usually affecting the 
heels, and comes on gradually. It is frequently at- 
tended with corns of a soft and red appearance, ren- 
dering th€ foot very tender and painful. Many bar- 
barous and dangerous lemedies are advised for tliis 
troublesome disease. However, the best course to 
pursue, in order to stop the progress of Contraction 
of the Hoof, is to turn the horse out into the straw 
yard, or into a soft and moist pasture, perfectly bare 
footed. Previous to this the hair must be cut off 
close around the coronet, and a mild blister applied, 
composed of Cantharides, powdered, two drachms ; 
Sweet Oil sufficient to make it to the consistency of 
molasses. During the first day the horse's head 
should be tied up; after which period hog's lard 
should be applied to that part every third day. The 
hoof must be pared down as thin as possible, es- 
pecially at the heels, the toe shortened and the 
(luartei's rasped. 



33 

rived the mrst satisfactory resuKs by usin^ the fol- 
loAvino;: Take Tartar Emetic, one drachm; Hog's 
Lard, one ounce ; form into an ointment and rub on 
the liorse's cheek, and also underneath tlie eye, until 
small pimples arise. Great care must be taken to 
prevent it from getting in the eyes. 



Splents. 

The Splent generally attacks 3'oung horses, espe- 
ciall}'- on the fore legs, and may arise from their be- 
ing more exposed to concussion, the weight of the 
body being thrown upon tliem during progression. 
This disease is generally apparent on the side of the 
shank bone, sometimes just below the knee. An 
enlargement of the bone will frequently take place. 
It is sometimes situated under the ligament or ten- 
don, and is almost invariably attended with a degree 
of inflammation. Before the excrescences appear 
that displace a tendon, the horse will be lame; but 
much skill and experience are requisite to discover 
the exact part affected. * When they are seated in 
the middle part of the shank bone, they are less 
painful and dangerous than when near the joints, 
but are more productive of lameness than in other 
cases. In j^oung colts, Splents sometimes disappear 
of tlieir own accord, being absorbed by a natural 
action of the vessels. 

The most efficacious remedy is to administer a 
blister, which is to be composed of Cantharides, pul- 
verized, i< ounce, mixed with Sweet Oil, Cut the 
hair off close all around the leg, and rub the blister 
in with the hand for about ten minutes ; then tie the 
horse's head short close to the rack, lest he blister 
his mouth and blemish his leg by biting it. On the 
following day dress the part witli hog's lard. If the 
Splent has not been of a long standing, take Spirits 
of Turpentine, one ounce ; Olive Oil, two ounces ; 
rub on this liniment night and morning, and apply 
a woolen bandage moderately tight around the leg. 
5 



34 
Have the shoe removed, and apply a tliick heeled 
one, as it will relieve the parts amazingly. If you 
have got English Black, apply that once a day until 
the part is blistered ; then apply hog's lard twice a 
da}', to keep the blister running and soften the skin. 



The Ring Bone. 

This disease has much similarit}- in its nature and 
causes to the preceding, and is most to be ieared in 
large-boned, heavy legged horses. It is an enlarge- 
ment of the lesser pastern bone, near the coronet of 
the hoof, and in general extends around the fi>re part 
of the hoof in the form of a I'ing. When formed 
moi'e external]}', and the ligamentous parts that join 
the hoof and the fleshy substance are aftected, it is 
somewhat dangerous to such parts ; but wiien they 
rise on the pastern and do not spread down to the 
coronet, there is no danger to be apprehended. 

Blistering or firing are the only cures. Apply the 
same medicine as in Splenta, if you have got it. 



Stiff Joints. 

This disease is generally occasioned by some ac- 
cidental injury done to the joints by wounds, punc- 
tures, or similar causes, occasioning the requisite 
lubricating fluid belonging to such parts to discharge 
itself outwardly, and thus by the action of the air, 
considerable irritation and inflammation is excited. 
When the joint is wounded it should be attended to 
without delay, to prevent the discharge of this joint 
oil, or joint water, as some call it. 

The best medicine to stop joint oil is to apply No. 
1 Black Oil; or, if you have not this, apply Nitrate 
of Silver or Muriate of Antimony. The best method 
to use the latter is to apply it wi^h a wooden skewer, 
making the point pf it wet without getting it into 
the wound. 



35 
Strains in the Back Sinews. 

Strains are usually produced by some violent ex- 
ertion — gallopiiiiT; on a hard road, or by a blow from 
the toe of the hind foot, which will occasionally 
happen on a hard road, when the fore le^ is kept too 
long in the ground by sticking in the clay. This 
generally occurs just above the fetlock joint, but the 
external appearance usually point out the seat ot the 
disease. The inflammation ought to be removed by 
warm fomentation and bran poultices, and after it 
has entirely subsided the following may be applied : 
Crude Sal-Ammoniac, one ounce ; Vinegar, one pint; 
mixed in a bottle. Or the following may be used : 
Camphor, two ounces; Alcohol, one pint; mix to- 
gether for use. The part to be rubbed twice daily, 
a bandage dipped in vinegar bound around the leg. 



The Thorough-Pin. 

This usually takes place on account of some par- 
ticular weakness or relaxation in the ligament sur- 
rounding the joint, and when pressed by the finger 
it disappears, i)ut returns on immediately withdraw- 
ing it This is a soft, flexible swelling, and appears 
on the two opposite sides of the hock joint at the 
same time — being supposed to pass entirely through 
the joint, thus deriving the name Thorough-Pin. 
There is rarely much lameness produced by this 
disease. The most certain cure is blistering. The 
liniment used to be composed of Cantharides and 
Spirits of Wine, as I have recommended for Splents. 
Black Oil I have found to be as good as anything, 
excepting White Liniment. 



Venomous Bites, Stings, and Bite of a Mad Dog. 

The bite of a rattlesnake or adder may be easily 
cured, if early attended to, by rubbing on the affected 
part, or the whole limb. Black Oils. Rub on one 
halt ounce three or four times a day. 



36 
Windgalls. 
These most commonly proceed from Immoderate 
labor ; workiui? horses too young ; or allowine; them 
to stand too much upon uneven floors, causing the 
fetlock joints to remain too long on a stretch, in- 
stead of being in a state of relaxation. These gen- 
erally arise in small, pufiy swellings, or enlarge- 
ments, immediately above the fetlock joints, and 
appear in both the fore and hinder legs, though gen- 
erally in the former. They are not, however, con- 
fined to these parts, but are sometimes met with in 
the hocks, near the knees, and in other places — in 
most cases existing without any degree of pain. In 
slight cases, washes of a cold, strong, astringent kind 
may be found sufficient to remove this complaint, 
but in inveterate cases, blistering and firing are the 
only eflectual cures. 



Blood Spavin. 
This generally'' arises in consequence of over- 
straining and exertion, or from bruises or other local 
injuries on the parts, causing considerable weakness. 
It appears like a small, soft swelling, or enlargement 
of the thigh vein, in that part where it runs over 
the inside of the hock joint, and is easil}'' distin- 
guished by its giving way and disappearing in some 
measure, on pressure below it, and returning again 
on its removal. This disease is of rare occurrence, 
and never produces lameness. Repeated blistering 
is also necessary in this case, and is the only sure 
remedy. 



Bog Spavin. 
This disease is more frequent than is the Blood 
Bpavin, and generally proceeds from similar causes. 
Nearly the same symptoms arc generally apparent 
in this case as in the preceding. It is attended with 
a degree of inflammation, which causes an encysted 



Hi 

swelling or cnlai\2;ement of tlie capsuk-s, or the 
membraneous bags that contain and afford the S3'n- 
ovia that lubricates the joints at the upper and inner 
side of the hock. When there is considerable in- 
flammation, fomentation and poultices must be ap- 
plied, after which blistering will remove the disease. 
But if matter be collected, the whole must be opened 
and the cysts with their contents sloughed away by 
the use of dressings moistened Avith Spirits of Tur- 
pentine and similar matters, and eschorotic substan- 
ces, such as dried Alum and Sulphate of Cop]ier, 
should occasional]}' be put into tlie parts. 



The Curb. 

This disease usually occurs from protracted and 
excessive working in the field or on the road, or 
from local injury done to the parts. The Curb is 
most common in young horses, esj^ecially such as 
are cow-hoofed, and appears in small swellings on 
the back part of the hock. It generally causes a 
degree of lameness in proportion to the inflamma- 
tion of the parts, and which rarely gives way of its 
own accord. In most cases where Curbs are not of 
too long standing, they may be removed by the ap- 
plication of blisters, or blistering liniments, but in 
inveterate cases firing will be absolutel}^ necessary. 



The Coffin-Joint. 

This may be considered as a ligamentary lameness. 
In this the horse stands with his toe pointing for- 
ward, thus keeping the pastern in a straight line 
with his leg, and taking oft' the tension of the liga 
ments which unite the cofl3n-bone with the lower 
pastern-bone, becomes ossified, when the use of the 
joint is entirely lost. Should the complaint exist 
any length of time, it is almost incurable ; blistering 
should be repeatedly applied as early as possible, 
around the coronet, until the disease be removed. 



.38 
The String Halt. 

This complaint is indicated by the horse suddenly 
catching- np the hinder leg higher tlian is necessary 
while walking. Th<! cause of this disease is exceed- 
ingly obscure, and it has always been considered as 
incurable. 



Lameness in the Hip Joint. 

During lameness in this part the horse drags his 
leg afterhim on the toe. Tlie application of Cam- 
phorated Spirits of Wine, or Blistering Liniment is 
the l/cst remedy. Lameness in this joint is often 
mistaken for lameness in the hock, but the symp- 
toms are quite different. 



Lameness in the Shoulder. 

Lameness in tins part is not very fi'equent. It is 
easily distinguishe^l from lameness in any other i)art 
by the horse dragging his toe and moving his foot 
in an outward, circular manner at every step. My 
practice is to bleed in the vein near the shoulder, 
and then apply the following: Spirits of Camphor, 
two ounces; Tincture of Opium, three drachms; 
mixed in a bottle for use. Where there is a great 
stiffness in the parts, the following mixture will be 
more efficacious: Oil of Origanum, two drachms; 
Olive Oil, two and one-half ounces; Spirits of Am- 
monia, three drachms. Mixed and put in a bottle 
for use. 



The Grease. 
Heavy horses with round, fleshy legs, are more 
subject to this disease than any other kind of horses. 
It may be occasioned by sudden changes from heat 
to cold ; the too sudden change from a generous to 
an impoverished diet; and from constitutional de- 
bility. It generally attacks horses in the Spring and 



39 

Autumn, find may, in most cases, be attributed to 
the want of proper cleanliness and exercise. The 
approach of this disease is mcUcated by the horse 
raisinc^ his foot frequently from the orround, and 
evincin,!:^ great pain and uneasiness when restinjj: 
upon it. Swellins.' and inflammation of tlie heel 
about the fetlock follow, which afterwards break out 
and discharge an oily matter of a peculiarl}' offen- 
sive smell. AVhen the inflammation is extended to 
tlie cellular membrane under the skin, the pain and 
lameness are very severe. The aflected part is soon 
brought to an abscess, and bursting, leaves a deep, 
ill-looking ulcer. In this disease the hinder legs are 
most commonly attacked, and the pain is sometimes 
so severe as to prevent the horse lying down, thus 
causing the swelling to increase and the disease to 
advance. 

Slight affections of the Grease may generall3'' be 
removed bj' a poultice of boiled bran and flax-seed, 
powdered, constantly applied and kept moist with 
warm water, and occasional^^ a mild diuretic may 
be given : Saltpetre, i^ ounce ; Resin, i^ o^mce, 
powdered ; to be given in the feed. After the in- 
flammation is abated, the following astringent lotion 
should be applied: Alum, powdered, }o ounce; 
White Vitriol, one ounce ; Vinegar, eight ounces ; 
Water, four ounces. Some prefer \Slnegar, 6 ounces; 
Sugar of Lead, four ounces ; Water, one quart. Mix. 



Sand Cracks. 

This disease is a partial division of the wall of the 
hoof, commencing at the coronet, and usually ex- 
tending half way down the wall. When allowed to 
increase it produces lameness, and an inveterate Sand 
Crack will sometimes terminate in an ulcer, which, 
if not prevented, ultimately destro.ys the cartilages 
and bones of the foot. When the hoof is deformed 
bj' the ulcer, or quittor, and one part rendered higher 
than the other, it is called a False Quarter. When 



40 

the frog becomes diseased it is called a Running 
Thrush. An old and inveterate Sand Crack, pene- 
traling between the horny and fleshy parts of the 
foot, is denominated a Canker. That part of tlie 
hoof which is cracked must be cut down to the 
([uick, and dressed witli tow dipped into Black Oil. 
Or take Spirits of Turpentine, two ounces; Lard, 
two ounces ; and simmer together. 



Contracted Feet. 

A tendenc}' to this disease is formed in some horses 
from the thickness of the wall of the hoof, but it 
may proceed from some disorder in the internal 
parts of the hoofs; from the pavement of the stall 
sloping too much ; hardness and dryness in the horn, 
and is frequently increased by the nse of the hollow 
webbed shoes, which do not tit properly on the heels. 
Thi.3 disease is very common, nsually affecting the 
heels, and comes on gradually. It is frequently at- 
tended with corns of a soft and red appearance, ren- 
dering the foot very tender and painful. Many bar- 
l)arous and dangerous remedies are advised for this 
troublesome disease. However, the best course to 
pursue, in order to stop the progress of Contraction 
of the Hoof, is to^turn the horse out into the straw 
yard, or into a soft and moist pasture, perfectly bare 
footed. Previous to this the hair must be cut off 
close around the coronet, and a mild blister applied, 
composed of Cantharides, powdered, two drachms ; 
Sweet Oil sufficient to make it to the consistency of 
molasses. During the first day the horse's head 
should be tied up; after which period hog's lard 
should be applied to that part every third day. The 
hoof must be pared down as thin as possible, es- 
pecially at the heels, tlie toe shortened and the 
quarters rasped. 



49 
The Mange. 

This conimoii, but troublesome disease generally 
proceeds from wanl of cleanliness, vmvvliolsome 
food, and a defective perspiration. This is a cuta- 
neous disease, affectinsj; the skin and rendering it 
thick and full of wrinkle.", especially near the ears, 
mane, loins and tail. As the disease advances, these 
l)arts general'y become deprived of hair, or should 
any remain, it stands erect like hog's bristles. These 
eruptions discharge a thick, yellowish fluid, and the 
horse suffers a perpetual itching, so that most of his 
lime is employed in rubbing or biting himself, which 
disturbs him in taking his food and causes Jiim to 
lose flesh for want of rest and quiet. This disease 
is highl}' contagious. 

It is improper to bleed in this disease. The fol- 
lowing ointment will be found beneficial : Hog's 
Lard, one pound ; Sulphur j.^ pound ; White Helle- 
bore, three ounces. A moderate quantity of this 
ointment should be well rubbcnl in with the hand 
every third (\iiy, over all the affected parts. Two or 
three applications will generally suffice for a perfect 
cure, provided the food be good and nourishing, and 
proper attention is paid to cleanliness and exercise. 

The following internal medicine will be useful 
during the application of the ointment : Black An- 
timony, 1^ pound ; Flour of Sulphur, ^2 pound ; 
Saltpetre, ^^ pound ; Cream of Tartar, i^ pound. A 
tablespoontul of these ingredients may be put into 
the horse's feed every night and morning. When a 
liorse is perfectly cured, his harness must be well 
washed with soap suds, and the stall, rack and man- 
ger should also be whitewashed with lime. 



Farcy. 

It is one of those diseases to which *the horse is 
liable, and for the cure of which, and its co-disease, 
Glanders, the veterinary profession have been more 
puzzled tiian with all the other diseases to which the 

7 



50 

horse is lialile. Until a modern date Farcy was not 
lliorouglily known ; for all the old writers said it 
was sonietliing the matter with the blood, hut coidd 
not tell what. The French writers studied the dis 
ease and its nature, hut stdl we got ver_v little fur- 
ther on m progressive knowledge ; and although at 
the present day we are not ahvays enabled to pro- 
mote a cure, yet tliere is some satisfaction in being 
able to define the disease in a n\ucli more enlightened 
iorm. Farcy, then, may be defined as an inflamma- 
tion and suppuration attendant upon ulceration of 
the absorbents of tiie skin. It was foi-merly thought 
to be a disease of the veins, from its fre([uently ap- 
pearing on the inside of the thigh, where they are 
conspicuous and prominent ; but the disease does 
not lie in the veins. The disease beinix exterior to 
the trunks of the veins, and lying in the superficial 
absorbents of the skin which cover the veins, was 
not this proved to a demonstration, the veins would 
ulcerate and open, and considerable bleeding take 
place — clearh' showing that the disease is in no wise 
connected with the veins. Externally the skin may 
be said to be the only visible part susceptible to 
Farcy; but when it runs on and becomes violent, 
the lungs also paj'take of it. Every part of the skin 
is susceptible to the disease, but not all parts equally 
so. Wherever the skin is thinnest these parts are 
more liable to become afiected than where the skin 
]s thick. This disease is generall}^ usliered in with 
swelling and inflammation, then single tumors form ; 
this goes on until matter is formed, suppuration 
takes place, and of course ulceration. The tumors 
do not always suppurate, but often become hard and 
scJrrous. These, in the old farriers' language, are 
called buds, or farcy buds, and frequently many of 
them are formed, making a kind of chain ; this is 
an absorbent enlarged and inflamed, and frequently 
will continue to enlarge to an alarming degree. 
These are the common symptoms and appearances 
of Farcy. 



51 
This disease, as we said before, is one in which less 
progress towards a cure ]ias been made than almost 
any diseace of the horse, and that in consequence of 
its containin;^ a poison , wliich poison if applied to 
the skin of a sound horse will produce inflamma- 
tion and matter of the same kind, and in all proba- 
bilit}^ if the matter becf>mes absorbed, it will pro- 
d.uce Glanders. Still, this may not be the case, all 
constitutions not being equally susceptible of taking 
on the disease, though actually in contact with the 
poison — this, like all medicines, not having the 
same effect on all constitutions, more than this spe- 
cific i)oison. However, this matter is proved to be 
contagious, because it is possible to produce it on a 
healthy horse. Here is one curious fact, also : if j^ou 
insert the poison deep below the skin, it does not 
jiroduce Farcy ; but being absorbed into the system, 
it produces tlie Glanders. Reader, do you under- 
stand this y Question: AVhy does it produce Glan- 
ders •* The reason is, because the poison is inserted 
below the skin in the second class absorbents. The 
tirst class absorbents do not inflame in this case — 
clearly proving it a disease of the skin, so that the 
deep seated absorbents become afliected and the su- 
perficial ones not so. From this cause, if you were 
to skin a horse ui this stage of the disease, there 
would not be the least appearance of it under the 
skin, nor can it be produced in a sound horse with- 
out an abraded surface. This called Button Farcy, 
and is intimate!}^ related to Glanders — it sometimes 
being called a twin-sister. The Water Farcy you 
will iind described elsewhere in this book. No diffi- 
culty need be experienced in distinguishing between 
the two diseases. In the latter the swelling is in 
larger lumps, and is attended with puffy swellings 
along the belly. There are no knotted cords or small 
buds to be found. Farcy may be distinguished from 
surfeits-lumps, which are large and irregular in form 
and of short continuance ; sometimes subsiding in a 
few hours, but oftener remaining sometime. (See.) 



The cure of Farc}^ may be ol)taiiied if it be purely 
local, such as when the buds are on the les^s onl}' so 
that it appears to be confiiied to the lymphatics of 
the skin ; but if the poison once enters the system, 
I should at once despair of anything like a cure. 
However, I have always treated it as a constitutional 
affection, not Irustint^ in the local term or otherwise. 
If the horse should be in tolerable condition I should 
immediately bleed, according to strength, size, etc , 
giving the following: Spanish Flies, pulverized, one 
drachm ; Sulphate of Iron, two ounces ; Sulphate of 
Copper, two ounces ; Gentian, four ounces ; Mus- 
tard, three ounces ; Ginger, tliree ounces. Mix, and 
form into a mass Vv'itli soft soap, and divide into 24 
pills. Give one every morning, and ajrply Black 
Oils to the ulcers. 



danders. 

Glanders is divided into two stages, the Acute and 
the Chronic, or the tirst and second stages. Acute 
Glanders is generally attended with Acu*;e Farcy, 
such as chancrous ulceration about the lips, face or 
neck, with considerable and painful swellings ap- 
pearing in what the old farriers called a corded, or 
knotted vein. Ulceration and swelling of the hind 
legs or sheath, and sometimes of the fore legs with 
corded veins and what is termed farcj" buds on the 
inside of the limb. The Acute Glanders often spreads 
rapidly, and either destroys the animal or renders 
him such a pitiable and hopeless object that the pro- 
prietor is generally induced to have the horse de- 
stroyed. Chronic Glanders is generally very mild 
in the first stage of the disorder, and does not affect 
the appetite or the general health and appearance of 
the animal. The second stage of Glanders is marked 
by ulceration within the nostrils, or an appearance 
in the matter which indicates ulceration, although 
sometimes too high up to be seen. The matter is 
in larger quantity and more glutinous, sticking 



Oo 

about the inar<>-in of the nostrils and upper lips, and 
sometimes obstructing^ the passaije of the air, so that 
tlie horse makes a snuffling noise in breathini^. In 
the second stage it is deemed incurable, and some 
writers only impose upon the credulous by prescrib- 
ing their flir-famed receipts for its cure. Instances 
have, indeed, occurred of the dischariie being en- 
tirely suspended for a while, particularly after the 
animal has been a« grass tor .some time; but the 
s^'mptoms invariably return, and no authenticated 
instance can be found of a cure of the Glanders hav- 
ing been effected. Whenever it is clearly ascer- 
tained that a hor.se is glandered, he should be imme- 
diately removed from all other horses, and kept by 
liimself. The rack and manger and all places should 
be well scraped with knives, and the entire surface 
of these parts whitewashed with a thick coat of lime 
and water. Treatment, see medicine for Farcy. 



The Staggers. 

The Staggers (Apoplexy) mav arise from various 
causes ; but it generally proceeds from some irreg- 
ularity in the action of tlie stomach It may be oc- 
casioned by blows on the head, causing compression 
of the brain, but it usually arises from horses having 
l)een allowed too great a quantity of food, or food 
of an improper nature. When a horse has been 
deprived of food some hours, and been working 
hard, he becomes so hungry that he voraciously de- 
vours every kind of food he can come at — swallow- 
ing it quicker than his stomach can digest it, and 
having no water to soften it and hasten its passage, 
the stomach becomes crammed, and through pre- 
vious exhaustion, is unable to contract upon its con- 
tents. Thus the food soon begins to swell and fer- 
ment, causing considerable distension, and the Stag- 
gers are ultimateh' produced. This disease is some- 
times, and very properly, called the Apoplex}'. In 
some cases the horse drops down suddenly in a state 



54 
of insensibility, but it generally comes on proores 
sively. It is tirst denoted by a degree of sleepiness 
and heaviness in the eyes, and an almost continual 
lianging of the head, accompanied by considerable 
feebleness. The horse stands dull, sleepy and stag- 
gering ; when roused he looks vacantly around him, 
occasionally will seize a wlsj) of hay, and again doze 
with it in his mouth ; at length he drops and dies, 
or the sleepiness passes oft' and delirium comes on, 
Avhen he falls, rises again, drops, beats himself about, 
and dies in convulsions. In this disease there is little 
;ipparent alteration in the motion of the flanks, nor 
derangement of the inilse. 

There is also a slight and temporary state of the 
Staggers, called the ]Megrlms, which attacks some 
horses as soon as the circulation of the blood is in- 
creased by exercise. The animal in this case su^l- 
denly stops and shakes his head ; if allowed to stand 
he gen(;rally recovers in a few minutes, but if im- 
l)rudently urged forward, the fit increases so as to 
occasion his falling. 

The most experienced practitioners in the veter- 
inary line, recommend in cases of contirmed Stag 
gers, to take at least six quarts of blood at once ; and 
when this operation is completed, to rub a blister 
(Ml the upper part ot the neck on both sides of the 
mane, just behind the ears. The blister to be com- 
posed as follows: Spanish Flies, powdered, two 
drachms ; Alcohol, two ounces ; mixed In a phial. 
After which the following : Take Alcohol or any 
strong spirits, one pint; Tincture of Myrrh, two 
<mnces; Camphor, one ounce. First dissolve the 
camphor in the alcohol, then add the tincture. Give 
this new- milk warm. If the horse is no better in 
the course of an hour, repeat the draught. This 
W'ill stimulate the stomach to a new action, in all 
probability, to get rid of its contents — the object so 
much to be desired. I have restored several cases 
by the above treatment, and if taken in time, I 
doubt of its ever failing. 



55 
The Epilepsy. 

The Epilepsy sometimes proceeds from a plethora 
or fulness of blood, and often from violent exei-cise 
or surfeits, or indeed from any of tjio causes that 
produce lethar.iry or Sta2,f!;ers. When a horse is 
attacked with the Epilepsy he reels and staggers, 
and his eyes fixed in his head, he appears quite stu- 
]m\ and stales and dungs insensibly, trembles, looks 
around him, and falls suddenly. Sometimes he re- 
mains immovable, Avith his legs stretched out as if 
he were dead, except a quick motion of the lungs 
and lieart, whilst his flanks work violently. Oc- 
casionally the convulsions which follow are slight, 
at otlier times violent. The head and fore parts are 
most affected, and the contortions are most singular. 
AVhen tliis is going off he generally discliarges a 
white and dry foam from the mouth. After the fit 
is over he shakes his ears, stales, and eats and drinks 
as tliough nothing had occurred. 

In old liorses this disease generally proves in- 
curable, since, through tlieir A\eakness, l)ut little as- 
sistance can be given to the operation of medicines ; 
but in ordinary cases tlie following may prove effi- 
cacious — care being taken to open tlieir bowels ])re- 
viousl.y, by means of clysters: Asafetida, 2 drachms ; 
Emetic Tartar, one drachm ; Camphoi-, one drachm ; 
which must be made into a pill with liquorice pow- 
der and honey, and given every twelve liours. 



Fevers. 

A simple fever ma}' proceed from various causes, 
such as an obstructed perspiration, arising from 
violent exercise and exposure to sudden colds or 
heats, or any otlier cause that tends to produce a 
degree of inflammation. A Fever is denoted b}' a 
loss of appetite ; great restlessness, the horse rang- 
ing from one end of the rack to the other ; the quick 
beating of the flanks ; redness and inflammation of 
the eyes, and a parched, dry tongue. He also nib- 



56 
l)les his hay witliout chewing it, and is frequently 
hanging his head down to the ground ; dungs often, 
but a httle at a time and in small, broken pieces; 
his urine is scaiity and highly colored ; his moutli 
feels hot and dry, and his pulse beats high and hard. 
" The best criterion of fever in a horse," says Mr. 
Lawrence, "is the ])ulse. The best situation for 
feeling it is just under the edge of the jaw bone, 
where the facial artery is covered by the skin only, 
and as it rests against tlie bone, its strength or weak- 
ness of pulsation may be ascertained with the nicest 
exactness and accuracy. AVhen the animal is in 
health the pulse generally beats trom thirty-six to 
forty strokes in a minute. The pulsation is regular, 
and the artery neither feels hard nor soft, but per- 
fectly elastic ; but when under the influence ot fever 
the pulse is sometimes increased to more than 
double its natural number of beats, and the artery 
frequently becomes so hard and rigid as to resist 
the pressure of the finger and to slip aside from 
under it." 

The first plan to adopt is copious bleeding. If 
the horse be strong and in good condition, three or 
four quarts sliould be taken, and the bleeding should 
be continued until an alteration of the pulse takes 
place, the hardness of the artery be removed, and 
the yellow or buflf coat on the surface of the blood 
becomes thinner. For medicine to be given and 
treatment, see Lung Fever. 



57 



TREATMENT OF SICK CATTLE. 



Great cure and o-ood mMiia^ienieiit nre essentially 
necessary to the lecovery and well-being of sick 
cattle. Witiiont these, in vain may medicine be ad- 
ministered. At the first attack of ;iiiy disease, solid 
food shonkl be but sp;iri}i^ly give]], and a tolerably 
warm cow-house receive them. A beast in perfect 
liealth has generally more tlian eighty pounds weight 
of solid food in the stomach, wliich of course re- 
quires time for digestion. When a beast is afflicted 
with an}' disorder, attention should be paid to the 
chewing of the end, and to the manifould, where 
many a fatal disorder has its seat. Corn meal gruel 
seasoned with salt and a little butter, given at the 
ra,te of two quarts every four liours, is sufficient to 
support cattle when afilicted with a disorder. Glau- 
ber's Salts and Nitre have a good efl'(?ct ; eight or 
ten ounces of the former and of the latter, to be 
given in flaxseed tea once a day, till they recover 
their cud. Jumper berries are also of gr^at use in 
recovering the cud ; for which purpose they should 
be given whole into the mouth, to the grinders, five 
or six times a day. Cattle in most diseases are fond 
of fresh mould, in which yon may indulge them, 
being careful to get your mould under a hazel bush, 
where it is the sweetest. Let them lick their full of 
it, for h will never hurt them. A hornful or two 
of fresh mould and salt may safely be safely given to 
a beast that has lost its cud, which in that state very 
often prefers bad hay lather than good, and you 
may let it eat as much of it as it will take. 
S 



.18 

Flaxseed tea, with a little butter put to it, is a 
valuable mixture in almost any disorJer. Malt 
mashes may be safely given when thebeast will take 
them. Bran being often of a bad quality, is seldom 
lit to be given to a sick beast, and meal dust and 
rough seeds arc still more dangerous, for I have 
known many cows and horses to lose their lives 
from the use of bad drugs, etc. 

It is sometimes hard to lind out the disorders of a 
beast. In all cases examine the breath. If it be 
strong and offensive, give tea made of bitter lierbs, 
such as wormwood, tansy, chamomile, pennyroyal, 
or of some part of them, which will strengthen the 
stomach and cleanse it. When a beast is taken sick, 
and the disease is not properly understood, give a 
gruel made of flaxseed, with one ounce of saltpetre, 
after w hich the disease may be found out and the 
])roper medicine applied. Bleeding is necessary, and 
of essential service when the legs of cattle are swol- 
len, and when their e3TS look heavy, of a dull red 
color and inflamed. It is equally necessary when 
they are too highly fed, in which state they are in- 
duced to rub their hair. Bleeding should also be 
nsed in all inflammations, fevers, bruises about the 
eyes, and sprains when accompanied with inflam- 
matory sj^mptoms. 



To Help a Cow in Calving. 

There is often great mischief done from the want 
of understanding how to help a cow^ in calving. I 
here give 3'ou the best advice that I can, and I have 
had very much practice in the business. In the first 
place, do not be too hasty in your proceedings, for 
sometimes a cow will have pains on her, and i)art 
with a little water, or loosening, and the pain will 
go off agam, and sometimes the neck of the calf 
bed, or what is called the j'ambs, will fall down and 
give pain to the cow. I have been fetched a great 
distance to cows many a time, and found that before 



59 

I arrived, some persons had tried to get their liands 
into the calf bed and could not force a passage ; and 
sometimes people have been so foolish as to endea- 
vor to cut a way to the calf. Such a proceeding is 
downright butcher}', and any one with an average 
amount of intelligence ought to know better. Only 
give time and the calf bed may open of itself. There 
are two water bladders, and someiimes three, to one 
calf, and when the first comes m sight and bursts, 
the cow is at calving. If she can not part with it, 
put up your hand to feel if it is all right, and if it 
is not, endeavor to put it so as near as possible. If 
the calf is right in the cow, it will have its back to 
liers and a fore leg on each side of its head. When 
this is the case, there is no fear of the cow not part- 
ing with it; but even in tliis case she will want a 
little help sometimes. In some cases one foot is 
right and the other w'rong, and you must be sure to 
get them both right before j'ou otter to draw the 
calf. Be careful lo have the back of your hand next 
to the calf bed, that you may not hurt it with your 
fingers. If the cow pain much against you, raise 
her behind to give you more room. Sometimes the 
liinder parts of the calf come first, with both hind 
feet down ; then let some one that is by put his left 
arm into the cow to find the tail, and putting his 
fore finger and thumb under it, thrust the calf into 
ihe cow ; then you, with your right hand, fetch the 
feet up, and then it will come away as well as if 
liead first. If the cow pair.s much against you, your 
arm w^ill be cramped, unless the calf be thrust into 
her by the other person, as directed. Sometimes the 
head is fallen back, and as you put your arm into 
the cow you can not find it. It may be under the 
calf, in Avhich case turn, the calf over, and then try 
to find it, and if you do not, raise tlie cow well be- 
liind, that you may be able to move at liberty, then 
lay it in as good a form as you can, and if it still falls 
back, put a crook in its nose (or, in other words, a 
liook made for that purpose,) with the i:>oint turned 



60 

ill in the form of a ring:, that it ma}' catdi iiotliijiu' 
to do mischief. Sometimes tlie neck of the calf is 
twisted, but it must be straightened before the calf 
can be drawn. 

When a cow is long in calving, the hair of the 
calf gets dr}^ In that case, grease it well with hog's 
lard or butter, and it will pass the isin bone much 
easier. When a calf is swelled or in a dropsy, which 
is the worst kind of calving, its head is so large that 
the passage is too small for it, and its body so much 
swelled that there is neither room to draw it nor 
stir it in the calf bed. In this case the calf must be 
stabbed with a lancet or a siiarp pointed knife, in 
many places, wherever you can get the lancet in. 
Then give the cow the following medicine : Tinc- 
ture of Opium, one ounce; Sweet Sjnrits of Nitre, 
two ounces. Bed lier well down, and leave her to 
rest. If she is pretty easy twelve hours after, feel if 
the swelling of the calf is abated ; if it is you must 
try to get it from her, but if not, you must repeat 
the above medicine, and leave her for eight hours 
more. By this method I have saved several cows. 
Some will say that they cannot get their hand into 
the mouth of the calf bed, because it is drawn u)*. 
If this is the case, by no means cut it, for cows that 
are cut mostly die, although I have cut man}" my- 
self. Two years ago I was called on in a case like 
this. The cow doctor had been trying all day to 
take away the calf, but the mouth of the calf bed 
was so small that he could only get his hand in, and 
one C(nild just see the nose of the calf. He had tried 
to stretch it with a stick, but could do no good with 
it ; and finally he sent for me. Of course I went — 
cut the calf bed open, and immediately the calf came. 
He said every one he had opened died ; I told him 
all had lived that I had opened. I open them in this 
way: I cut the mouth of the calf bed in the thin- 
nest part ; feel if there is any beating of the artery, 
if none, cut. It is not often that a milk fever takes 
place in a cow that has had a hard time in calving; 



Gl 
but should siicli ho tlie case, you cannot do better 
than foHow the advice o'iveu in that disorder. I ad- 
vise all not to have their cows in hisrli keep at the 
time of calvinir, tor there are five fat cows lost to 
one lean one, and few or none in low condition have 
tlie milk fever. But should your cow^ be in hi,irh 
condition, be sure to bleed well, and to draw the 
milk from her as much as you can before she calve, 
and by this means you may, perhaps, prevent fur- 
ther mischief 

A DKINK TO CLEAN A COW AFTER CAT.VING. 

Gum Myrrh, one ounce ; Juniper Berries, two 
ounces; Ginger, two ounces; Black Antimony, two 
(»nnces ; Saltpetre, two ounces; Aloes, one ounce. 
IVIix with four ounces of soft sor.p, and divide into 
three or four pills. If you want to make a drink of 
it, pulverize the pill fine, and put it into one pint of 
cold ale or four ounces of spirits of any kind, and 
add molasses. Give it fasting, and to fast two hours 
after. It seldom fails to bring the cleaning from 
her, and if the cleaning has come avvay, you can not 
give a m(ue proper drink after calving. It helps the 
discharge from the calf bed, which is commonly 
called fye, and both causes the cow to milk better, 
and to do belter. 

Many people take hold of the navel string, and 
draw gently until tlie cleaning comes away. They 
do not know whether they pull the calf bed back or 
not, nor whether the roses have parted with the 
cleaning or not, and it is seldom such pretenders are 
at hand just wlien the calf is drawn. Some people 
are so sparing of their mone3% that rather than part 
with one shilling, they will run the risk of losing 
twenty or thirty dollars, and rather than be at the 
small expense of a drink, will let the cleaning rot 
from their cows. This is a great folly of short- 
sighted man, for lie loses five times as much in the 
end, and does the cow a great deal of hurt ; nay, in 
my time I have known scores of beasts lost by nig- 
gardly, covetous people, who would be at no ex- 



pcnse with them when clisordereil. I wonder that 
the Lord permits such earthworms to have cattle, 
for they not only hu'-t themselves, but the public at 
lar2:e. 

ir a cow does not clean in twelve or fourteen 
liours, I should take away. I liave taken scores 
away in my time. I take hold of the navel string 
with my left hand, and then with my right I follow 
the navel up to the roses, or buttons, some call them, 
of which there are twelve in number. The first 
button on the right side I unbutton with my finger 
and thumb and draw it out of the calf bed, then I go 
back again, following the navel up into the calf bed, 
and take hold of the second l)Utton, as above, until I 
get out five or six buttons, and then commence on 
the other side, and proceed in the same manner until 
done. The last button that Ihe navel is attached to 
lies back in the bed. I break otf the navel string as 
far in the inside of the cow as I can. Now you have 
done, I would say, you can not reach the buUon that 
the navel is attached to. But T draw the navel string- 
gently with my left hand until I can reach it witli 
my thumb and finger of my right hand, and un- 
button as before mentioned. If I can not unbuttcn 
it, I break otf the navel string as close to the button 
as 1 can. Afterwards I simmer together before the 
fire a little Black Oil and lard, two parts ot the lat- 
ter to one of the former, and introduce into the calf 
bed. Apply clear Black Oil to the spine of the back 
and th(! roots of the horns ; or if you have not the 
Oil, take laudanum and lard, equal parts, and intro- 
duce it into the calf bed. I give at the same time 
the cleansing drink or pill before recommended. If 
a cow be in great pain, add to the drink one ounce 
of laudanum. 

I would remark here that I forgot to tell you to 
give the second pill twelve hours after giving the 
first, if the cleaning does not come away; and if it 
lias not come away with the second pill, give the 
third. If tlie third does not start it, it must be taken 



63 

away in the manner I have described. I liave had 
l)ersons come to me saying that they had a very sick 
cow, and anxious to have me go with them at once. 
I ask, Has she liad a calf latel}' ? "Yes, four days 
ago." Did she clean goody " She was twenty-four 
Jjours before she cleaned, and then I pulled it awaj'." 
Did you get it all away ? " Yes, I think 1 did." I 
have gone to a dozen in the town of Cambridge, in 
a year, and always find the navel string to be broken 
oft", and have also found great inflammation on the 
roses, or buttons. I moreover found the buttons 
twice as large as tliey ouirht to be, and not one but- 
ton unbuttoned, and the navel to be so short that I 
could not get hold of it; and it was with the great- 
est difficulty that I could get my hand into the calf 
bed. However, in such cases, I get away all I can 
and let the rest go, and ajiply freely Black Oils. Of 
course it would put the cow to a great deal of pain, 
but it cuts away all the cleaning that was left, and 
also puts a stop to inflammation. I would advise all 
]>ersons to never i)ull on the navel string. If you 
find tiie cleaning to be fiist, it is because there is 
something the matter with the cow. 



The Milk Fever in Cows after Calving. 
This disorder chiefly happens the day after calv- 
ing. The pulse is low and irregular, the eyes dull 
and heavy ; the cow starts, flutters and staggers till 
she comes dow^n, and the mdk can only be got in 
small quantities at once. This disorder mostly hap- 
pens when the cow is full in flesh, and may occur at 
any time of the year, but is not so dangerous at hard 
meat as at grass ; one reason for which is that the 
weather is not so hot. It might often be prevented 
by bleeding and milking before calving. It never 
liappens with the first calf, and seldom with the sec- 
ond, but chiefly to great milkers, for few others have 
it. People having a cow that has had this disease, 
should not let her take the bull again, but fat her, 



64 

for if slie calve aiul have the disorder again, tlierc 
is little hope of her recovery. 

Tlie tirst thing to be done is to let blood pretty 
freely, and to lay her as easy as you can. She wiil 
soon have a stron*^ pulse and high fever, therefore 
be careful to prevent her bein^ too hot if in sum- 
mer, or too cold if in winter. Cooling medicines 
are best for her. Spirits of Sweet Nitre, 2 ounces ; 
Cream of Tartar, three ounces; Salts of Tartar, two 
ounces; Emetic Tartar, two drachms. Give this in 
slippery elm tea. Pour a hornful or two of cold 
water into her every two hours, and let her lie on 
the milking side mostly, upon plenty of straw, and 
where there is room to stir; and draw the teats often 
to get what milk you can fr(»m them. This disorder 
lasts two or three days. If the covv can bear under 
it for two days there is great hope of her getting 
better; for in this as well as in Redwater, people 
Avill persuade the owner to give tirst one thing and 
tlien another, when they neither know the disorder 
nor the medicine ; and I have known some to advise 
him to get the cow on her feet and to sling her, 
when she has not been aMe to hold her head up — a 
ready way to kill her. Never offer to get the cow 
up till she is al)le to stand. If she can not turn her- 
self, turn her three or four times a day. When the 
fever is abated slie will want nourishment. Give 
her good gruel made of meal and water. Six hours 
after giving the lirst medicine, give as follows: 
Epsom Salts, four ounces; Spirits of Sweet Nitre, 
two ounces: Emetic Tartnr, two drachms. If in 
great pain give one ounce of laudanum, mixed with 
the rest of the medicine. If the cow does not get 
up in four or live days, rub tlie following on her 
loins : Oil of Origanum, Oil of Spike, Oil of Am- 
ber, Spirits of Sal-Ammoniac, one ounce each. Put 
all in a phial together, and shake well ; then rub 
one-half on, and the remainder in twenty-four hours 
after. I have laid down the best method of treat- 
ment and the most proper medicine that I know of, 



G5 

but if nnytliii^ii; fresh occurs, I must leave it to yom- 
own discretion. I have practiced some twent}' 
years, and have liad good success. \ When called in 
time I most generally save them. It is a lieavy 
disorder, and kills many. 



The Felon, or Hide Bound. 

Many disorders that go Iw this name are nothing- 
of llie kind. Too many pretend to know something 
about a cow who know nothing whatever about this 
complaint, but give othei' disoi-dei's iJie name of 
Felon ; and some make four kinds of Felon, to wit : 
Hide Bound Felon, Heart Felon, Water Felon, and 
Cripple Felon or Felon in th<> lind)s. 

The following are the symptoms of the Felon, or 
Hide Bound : The beast's hide is stiff and not good 
to get liold of; it loses tlesh, walks stitf in its limbs, 
its e3'es look dim and watery ; its hair stands sti'aight 
on its l)ack, and it neither eats nor drinks so freely 
as it should do. When you find a beast in this state 
you may be sure it has got the Felon, and I shall 
here lay down a few receipts for the cure of it. The 
following is for a strong or large l>east : Flour of 
Mustard, four ounces; Anis seeds, powdered, one 
ounce; Ginger, two ounces; Long Peppers, pow- 
dered, one ounce ; Canary Seeds, ])owdered, one 
rmnce; Molasses, four onnces ; mi.\ in half a pint of 
spirits of any kind. To be given fasting, and the 
beast to fast three hours after. 



The Felon. 

This mostly liappens at the end of Jul}' or in 
August, to cattle that are fatting. Milch cows, oxen, 
and heifers that have never had a calf, are liable to 
it, I have known heif)3rs to have it to such a degree 
that one quarter of the udder would drop out. I 
need not describe the complaint, which is so well 
known; bu^, T will remark that there is a strcmg 




GO 
fever at llie beu'ini^i'Vi?- The first tiriii^i«: to be done 
is to bleed well. Some graziers object to bleeding-, 
but they are mistaken, for both reason and experi- 
ence tell us that bleeding must be proper at the be- 
ginning cf the tever. If j'ou bleed and physic your 
cattle every ten days when the disorder prevails, it 
will prevent many from having it, and such as do 
take it will have it more mild. At this season of 
the year high winds and cold rains are ver}^ tre- 
{[uent; and it often happens that when the weather 
is very hot a thunder storm changes the air sud- 
denly. When you find a beast with this disorder, 
give the following : Jalap, powdered, one ounce ; 
Flour of Sulphur, eigli^ ounces ; Cream of Tartar, 
two ounces; Calomel, one drachm; Ginger, pow- 
dered, two ounces. Mix all toirether, and give in a 
little corn meal gruel. This recipe is well calculated 
to cool and abate the fever, and to thin the blood. 
Glauber Salts is also a fine cooler. In three or four 
days give twelve or fourteen ounces of it, and two 
ounces of Saltpetre dissolved in Iiot water, and give 
nearly cold. Repeat either of these as you find it 
needful. The first of them is one of the best yet 
found for this disease, and the last is of great ser- 
vice. If the joints of the hind legs are swelled, rub 
them with the following mixture : Turpentine, two 
ounces; Oil Origanum, one ounce; Spirits of Sal- 
Ammoniac, one ounce ; Sweet Oil, two ounces. Mix 
it in an eight ounce bottle, and shake well. If you 
have any White Liniment, that is better yc-t. 



Falling Down of the Calf Bed. 

This often hajjpens after calving. When it takes 
place, be careful ^o wash the calf bed well, and re- 
move every part of the cleaning from the roses, or 
buttons. Be cautious not to damage the roses, for 
when the cow is not at her full time they part some- 
times hardly, and you had better leave some of the 
cleaning on them than injure the calf bed by forcing 



67 

it ofl*. If <l)e calf bcl has been down sometime be- 
fore being discovered, especial!}' in winter, and it is 
cold, be sure to foment it with milk and water, to 
bring it to a natural warmth before you put it up ; 
for if .you put it cold into the cow, it will give her 
great uneasiness and cause her to tlinnv it down 
again, and there will also be danger of its bringing 
a disorder on her. Some people are so foolish as to 
put powdered resin on the calf bed to keep it up; 
but instead of keeping it up, it is the direct way to 
cause the cow to throw it down again, and reason 
will tell any man that the cow needs nothing in her 
calf bed but what nature formed there. 

When the calf bed is thrown out of the cow, it is 
something like the lining of a hat when fallen out. 
AVhen 3'ou put it up, have the cow on her feet, oil 
your hand, put your fist to the lower part of the 
bed, and when 3'ou come to the barren, or what is 
properly called hth'ta pudenda^ thrust gently with the 
back of 3-(uii hand and let the lowest part go in tirst. 
If you can not get it in this way, let some one hold 
the calf bed up in his hands, and then thrust it i)i 
by degrees. Let the nearest part go in first, and 
when you have got it in its place, put your hand in 
the cow as far as you can reach, that it may not be 
left double, but be rightly placed ; and keep her as 
high behind as you can, that she may not throw it 
down again. It wWl be necessary to give an ounce 
of Tincture of Opium in four ounces of spirits, to 
remove the pain. 

Another grievance that fi-equently happens is the 
falling down of the neck of the calf bed. This often oc- 
curs when a cow has the calf in her, and sometimes to 
one that is not with calf It is easily put up again ; 
for if you put it in the barren it will go to its own 
place, but it is bad to keep there. Some put a 
skewer, with a hole in the end to fasten a soft band 
or string to, across the barren, and then wrap the 
band around the skewer to tie the lips together, 
and a cork on the sharp end to keep it from prick- 



08 
ini^- the tail. Some sew the barren up with a leath- 
ern striiio-; but in that case, be careful not to put 
the stitches too near each other, so as to stop tlie 
urine. Sometimes I put Black Oils across the loins. 
This will have a tendency to keep it up in its place. 



Inflammation of the Neck of the Bladder. 

This too often happens, especially when a cow is 
in high condition, and lias a hard time m calvin.o;. 
To discover this disorder, which is not ver\' easily 
done, observe the followino- s^nnptoms, which are 
the most common. The beast is very uneasy, at 
getting up or lying down, it only lies down a few 
minutes and then gets up again, wags its tail, looks 
back at its hinder parts, shifts its lugs to make water, 
sometimes parting with a little, and sometimes none 
at all. The water it does part with is very clear, 
and if 3'ou catch it in your hand .you will feel it 
very hot. When the disorder has taken place, bleed 
well in the neck, and after yon have draw^i a good 
quantity of blood, give the following: Epsom Salts, 
six ounces; Cream of Tart-ir, two ounces; Saltpetre, 
two ounces; Vinegar of Squills, one ounce. Put 
eight ounces of flaxseed ijito a jar, and pour three 
pints of boiling water on it; clear it ol^' in five or 
six minutes, and give the above in the tea. Powder 
the saltpetre before putting it jnto the tea, j\[ake 
the flaxseed into a mash, and give the cow for food, 
to be repeated every twelve hours. Warm deluting 
clysters are very apjiropriate, and therefore give one 
everv four hours. 



Inflammation of the Liver. 

This disorder is not so common as some. It sel- 
dom happens to lean beasts. It is chiefly brought 
on by driving in hot weather. When a beast has 
this disorder its eyes look red and water much, and 
its tongue has a thick white scurf upon it ; its pulse 
is quick and strong ; its bod}' fuller than what it 



01) 
should l)e for what it oats, and slaver runs down 
from its mouth It also groans, and is short of wind, 
which is caused by 'Jic liver being swelled and press- 
ing hard against the midriff, and thus straightening 
the chest. The liver is seated near the heart 
and the midriff, and tlie heart receives tlie 
blood from it by the vena cava and throws it back 
again by the vena porta. The first step to be taken 
is to bleed pretty freely, and then to give the same 
medicine as in tlie jaundice, for this disorder so much 
resembles the jaundice that it may justly be called a 
branch of it. If the fever l)ring on costiveness or 
hardness of dung, give Glauber's Salts to keep the 
body open, and let the animars food be of a cooling, 
opening nature. ]5ran mashes is the best ; but in 
the spring and summer time herbage will carry off 
man}' disorders. For medicine see laundice. 



The Yellows, or Jaundice. 

This disorder often happens to cattle, and ai'ises 
from too great a quantity of bile, which forces it- 
self into the blood, and tiie liver causes the blood to 
press too mucii upon the gall bladder. I need not 
enumerate the stages of this disorder, but will point 
out how it may be known and how to cure it. It is 
well known that the Jaundice is an overflowing of 
the gall bladder, and tlie 3'ellowness of the eyes and 
nostrils will point out the disord(M\ There is also a 
constant itching all over the bt)dy, and if the beast 
have any white hair it will turn yellow ; if it give 
milk that will also be yellow, and its urine will be 
yellow, and sometimes almost the color of the blood. 
Its dung will be hard and tough, almost like clay. 
Cattle in this disorder are not fond of stirring much 
— it being of a very sluggish nature. These arc the 
general signs by which this disorder is known. 

In the first stage, let blood; and if the pulse be 
strong, bleed again in twelve hours, and as soon as 
you have let blood give the following : A small 



TO 
luuulful of baylierry baik, if you can get it ; boil it 
ill two quarts of water for fifteen minutes, and when 
cold clear it oil' and add Best Madder, two ounces ; 
Turmeric, two ounces ; Turpentine, one ounce ; Cas- 
tile Soap, three ounces. Mix the turpentine with 
two hen's ecgs, cut tlie castile soap small, put all 
together, and boil it for four minutes in three pints 
of water, then let it stand till nearly cold before 
mixing. Ilepeat the above every twelve hours for 
two days, which will be four tunes; for the Jaun- 
dice is a disease that wdl not submit to tritles, and if 
not removed tliere will be danger of the Black 
Jaundice taking place. If the beast get no better in 
three days, give the following: O.xymel of Scjuills, 
two ounces , E])som Salts, four ounces ; Oil of Jun- 
iper, ^2 oi^icc ; Venice of Soap, two ounces. Give 
it twice a day in corn meal gruel. These medicines 
are also sood in Inflammation of the Liver. 



Inflammation of the Stomach. 

This is a most dangerous disorder, and but little 
known to cow keepers or cow doctors. When the 
disorder takes place, it is known by the beast being 
too full on the si(le contrary to that on which you 
milk; the beast is restless, lying down and soon get- 
ting up again, shifting its hind legs, making water 
often and in small qnantities, holding up its tail, and 
pains itself to dung. It looks wildly with its eyes, 
and on lifting up the eyelids yon will find them red- 
der than they should be. I have seen the paunch, 
or bag, rise and fall again, and continue doing so 
:o)' some time. 

When this disorder takes place, the first thing to 
do is to bleed freely, and then give six or eight 
ounces of castor oil. If you have not got the castor 
oil, use a pint of sweet oil instead, and if that be not 
at hand, give the beast eight ounces of melted butter 
or hog's lard in warm water. Another receipt : two 
ounces of Salts of Tartar ; one ounce Saltpetre ; ami 



71 
one ounce of Volatile Sails, powdered and put into 
a half pint of vinesjar; and ccive thus mixture while 
in a state of fermentation. If this does not effect a 
cure, give the following : Yellow Bark, powdered, 
one ounce ; Camphor, one drachm ; Gum Myrrh, 
in powder, Yi ow'ice. The camplior and the mj'rrh 
to be powdered together, and the whole to he given 
in a quart of juniper berry tea. If then the dis- 
order be not abated, give the following in jiuiiper 
berry tea : Tincture of Gum Guiacum, two ounces ; 
Tincture of Opium, one ounce. 



The Quinsy. 

This disorder is very common among horned cat- 
lle of all kinds. At the beginning the beast slavers 
much, thrusts out its head, its spirits are depressed, 
and it moves but little about. If it be in summer 
time, it wdl be often under the fences, chewing 
leaves of trees and putting them out again ; and if 
you examine, you will find the roots of the tongue 
much larger than usual ; the vives, also, near the ears 
are much swelled. When \'ou Und that the beast 
has this disorder, take it into the house and rub it 
with the following: Turpentine, two ounces; Oil 
of Linseed, two ounces; Spirits of Sal-Ammoniac, 
two ounces. Shake well together, and rub the beast 
three or four times a da}-, to try and turn the disease 
back again. Sometimes the swelling breaks in- 
vvardl}^ and discharges itself at the mouth. When 
that is the case the beast soon gets well, but when 
the matter gathers in a bag at the roots of the tongue 
it is yery tedious. Some beasts have had a bag of 
matter at the roots of the tongue Avhicli has not been 
perceived until they were dead. The bag lying on 
the upper side of the gullet and windpipe, was not 
discernible either by the eye or the touch. The 
swelling in the vives {commonly called the bur,) is 
often mistaken for the Quinsy. This lies between 
the ear and the roots of the tongue. I wish people 



72 

would be careful in dislinguishino' butAveen these 
two disorders, for the latter is of little consequence 
compared with the former. If you have a knife to 
use in the Quinsy, and make an opening into the 
bag- of matter, keep the orifice open with tents made 
of tow, dipped in tlie liniment before mentioned, or 
Black Oil is the best, if you Jiave got it. For the 
swelling in the vives, rub well witii the following: 
Spirits of Hartshorn, two ounces; Sweet Oil, two 
ounces. 



Poison, or SweMIng in the Bowels. 
This disorder is nearly the same as eating too 
much clover, though it is not clover that causes it, 
but too much herbage being thrown into the lirst 
stomach, which iieats and swells before it is thrown 
back again; and when weight i)resses upon the 
arteries or blood-vessels, it causes a stagnation of the 
bh)od, or what is called a stoppage of blood, and in 
this case, unless found in time, the animal will soon 
be dead. The first thing to be done is to let blood 
prett}^ freelv ; then give a pint of sweet oil, or if 
that can not be got, give ten or twelve ounces of 
melted butter. If the beast be able to walk, walk 
it about a little, and if that will not answer the end 
designed, stab it with a knife at least an inch broad, 
if broader, no Avorse, as the orifice which is cut is 
oftener too narrow^ than too wide. Be careful to 
keep off the loin, for when the animal is so swelled 
it is very ^leceiving. The right place is halfway be- 
tween the rib and the Iiuck bone, on the contrary 
side to that on which you mdk. After the wind has 
got out, cover the hole with a plaster of any kind, 
to keep from letting the wind in. When I find a 
beast bloated, the first thing I do is to give one-half 
])ound of pork, cut in seven or eight slices. If no 
better in ten minutes, give more, and if no better in 
ten minutes, give still more. I bleed to the amount 
of six or eight quarts. Sometimes you find the 



73 

beast so badly bloatetl that you have no time to wait 
for the medicine to take effect. If that should be 
the case, stab it as before directed. When I liave 
found them only sli;,^htly bloated, I liave always re- 
lieved them with pork by the lirst time !?iving it. 
At an}^ rate, stabbing is the last remed3^ 



The Scrofula, or Scab. 

This disorder is not verj'^ common, but when it 
does appear it is often neglected. At the beginning 
people take it tor some other disease breaking out ; 
and the old saying is, it is better out than in ; but at 
length the disorder appears to any one that is at all 
acquainted with the diseases of beasts. WJien this 
grievance is checked in time, it is much better tor 
both the beast and its owner, for ii is a troublesome 
disorder. Snme say that it is only a surfeit that is 
breaking out, and so it may be ; but such surfeits 
bring on the Scab. They say, perhaps, that a Sur- 
feit and the Scab are different things. So they are, 
but a Surfeit may turn to the Seal). When there is 
heat ill the skin and dryness in the hair, and the 
beast is continually rubbing itself against anything 
that is near, you make yourself sure it has got this 
disorder. I have known the comi)laint to continue 
so long that the neck and back of the beast have 
been nearly covered with scales. In the first stage 
of this disease the skin or hide is hot and dry, but 
the insects soon gather more closel}", and then it 
breaks out into little ulcers, when it may justly be 
called a Scrofula. The ulcers will throw out a thin 
matter, which is very offensive to the beast and its 
ow^ner; then the ulcers will turn to scales. You 
will say that you can not see any insects ; nor can 
you with j^our naked eye, but with a glass you may. 
If there are many beasts together, the disorder will 
spread among them all, if not prevented. 

The first thing to do is to give them cooling med- 
icines .• Nitre, one ounce ; Jalap, one ounce ; Cream 
of Tartar, two ounces ; Calomel, 8 drachms. Give it 
10 



74 
in warm gruel three times, two days distance be- 
tween each time, or if it worlv the beast sliarply, let 
the distance be three days. When you have given 
the first dose, rub with the following: Sulphur, 
eight ounces; White Hellebore, four ounces. 



Lice on Cattle. 
I need not say much under this head, for it is well 
known to cow keepers; but one thing I will say — 
the sooner you get rid of them the better, for they 
always make a beast uneas.y. I would advise those 
who have lousy cattle not to apply quicksilver, for 
many a beast has been killed by rubbing a sixpenny ■ 
worth of quicksilver on it to destroy lice. You may 
think that a small matter to kill a beast, but I assure 
you it will. Use the following, and there will be no 
danger: Two ounces of staves acre in powder; boil 
it lightly in three pints of chamber-lye, and when 
nearly cold rub the beast well with it. Be careful 
to rub the powder on with the chamber-h'^e. This 
quantity will do for a small beast, but a larij-e one; 
will take three ounces of staves acre and two quarts 
of chamber-lye. There are two kinds of Lice — the 
smaller sort are worst to kill. The larger may be 
killed by snuff, or white hellebore root in powder, 
or capsico berries in powder, all rubbed on dry, but 
staves acre is the best for either sort of Lice. 



The Cow slip the Calf. 
AVlien this grievance spreads among a number of 
cows it is very troublesome ; for, besides the loss the 
owner is kept in continual anxiety of mind. When 
you see a cow likely to part with her calf, separate 
lier from the rest as soon as you can, if 5^ou have 
convenience; and as soon as she has parted with it 
give the cleansing drink; for this is an infectious dis- 
order, and most of the infection is conveyed by the 
smell ; and the longer the cleaning is in coming away 
the more the air is infected, and more the contagion 
spreads — sometimes over a whole neigborhood. I 



to 

iulvlse you to put tar upon the noses of j'our cattle 
when this disorder prevails, and burn dried Asfo'tida 
or Wormwood, or to sprinkle Spirits of Tar, or any- 
thing to make a strong smell about the cow bouse. 
If you have got any fresh cattle they will soon take 
the disorder. In order to help to remove the infec- 
tion, give the drink prescribed for cleaning a cow 
after calving, and repeat as often as needful. The 
times when a cow is most likely to part with her 
calf are eighteen, twelve, nine and six wrecks from 
her regular time of calving. Give the drink at each 
of these times, except the nine weeks, and bleed at 
the same time. 



Lameness. 

When a l)east has been a long time lame the claws 
i2ro\v long, and are very troublesome to it ; so I 
advise you to cut them. Take a block of wood, put 
the foot upon it and with a mallet and chisel strike 
off as much as you think needful. 

Sometimes gravel w^orks down into a beast's foot 
as it does in a horse's, and must be cured in the same 
manner. But a horse's foot and a cow's foot are 
made cpiite differently ; for in a horse's foot the rims 
or shelves in the inside of the hoofs turn upward, 
which causes the gravel to go up and out at the 
top ; but a cow's I urn downward, and when the gravel 
gets in it stops there ; so that a cow is much better 
to cure. Beasts are often lame in summer; some- 
times it is caused by flies, and at others by riding 
another cow when in bulling, for they will come off 
on one side and leave the other on the cow's back, 
and either nearly tear the shoulder from the body 
or put It out of joint. When the shoulder is out of 
joint it stands off from the beast. Put a cord round 
the foot and draw it under the beast's belly, and if it 
comes down on the lame side, its weight will force 
the joint in again. If the lameness be in the cap 
bone or the udder joint, you must ascertain \vhether 
the cap be sliifted in the stifle joint or not. Some- 



70 
times the tendon is tlirovvn on one side. When 
lameness is caused by any of these accidents, the 
part must be put ri^ht before you can expect a cure. 
Rub any part that is disordered witli the followinor: 
Oil of Ori^inum, Spirits of Turpentine, Spirits of 
Sal-Ammoniac, Oil of Amber, one ounce each ; to 
be mixed in two ounces of Sweet Oil, or Castor Oil. 
This mixture is what is called the Stron<»: Oil. — 
There is another kind of Oil commonly called the 
Horse Bottle, which is made of the following • Oil 
of Orignum, one ounce, Oil (>f Turpentine, one 
ounce, Oil of Swallows, one ounce, Oil of Worms, 
one ounce. Oil of Spike, one ounce. Oil of Petre, one 
ounce, Spirits of Wine, four ounces, Opodildoc, one 
ounce. This mixture has been much esteemed in 
the west of Yorkshire, England. This recipe is 
Avorth all I get for this book. If you cannot get the 
Oil of Swallows use Od of Castor, which will do as 
well. 



Inflammation of the Womb. 

This is an inflammation of the uterus or womb, 
which attacks cow\s a few days after calving or after 
abortion. This disease commences wnth the same 
symptoms which attend most inflammatory diseases, 
a chill followed with rapid breathing, liigli pulse, 
I'edness of the nostrils, and cold legs. The symp- 
toms which will enable the observer to tell that it is 
a case of Inflammation of the Womb, are the time 
at which it occurs, the tenderness and hardness which 
can be felt at the l)ack part of the loins, and the free 
sweating there. When up, the cow stands with her 
hind legs wide apart, but she lies down most of the 
time. The bearing will be swelled, and on opening- 
it, the vagina, or passage to the womb, will be veiy 
red and hot. It may be caused bj' severe labor, tak- 
ing cold after calving, or membranes which en- 
velop the calf, not coming away. Cows in good 
condition are most liable to it. 

The treatment for this disease must be prompt 



and vii?orous, or It can be of little value. Bleed 
from "the neck vein lar*T:ely. Then take Tartar 
Emetic, sixty 2;i'alns; Sweet Spirits of Nitre, one 
ounce ; Tincture of Digitalis, one ounce ; Tincture 
of Opium, one ounce. ^ Mix in one pint of warm 
water as a drench. After two hours give the same, 
leaving out the digitalis, and so on until the inflam- 
mation is subdued. Then give sixty grains of Car- 
bonate of Ammonia every two hours, in warm water, 
until the strength and health be restored. Uwh the 
legs with one i3int of Alcohol and one ounce of Cay- 
enne Pepper, shaken up well before using. 



»» # «• 



MEDICINES. 



I herewith she recipes for medicines lor nearli* every dis- 
ease to whicli the horse is liable. Many of these medicine- 
are composed of articles always on hand in the farmer" i« 
house, or easily obtained, so that if a horse is taken sud- 
denly sick, a safe medicine may be selected and sriven, with- 
out subjectiu;^ the animal to the torture of the many iirnor- 
ant fellows who are always ready to throw dose after dose 
down him. 1 have known articles jriven a sick liorse, when 
the very first one iriven would have been sutticient to badly 
injure or kill the animal. 

Medicines for cows you will find connected with eacli dis- 
ease—what to ifive, when to sive, and the benefit received. 
Yon will also find the same with the sick horse and his die- 
ease. However, I will ffive a few more recipes tor external 
and internal diseases of horses. 

Anti-Spasmodic Mixture for Flatulent Colic— Oil 
of Turpentine, two ounces; cold water i,auel, one pint. 
Mix for one dose. 

Remark. — To an inexperienced person this might appear a 
very formidable remedy, but it is not only very safe, but 
seldom fails of giving relief. Many practitioners give it in 
larger doses ; indeed, I have often known four ounces to bo 
given at a dose, with the best effect. 

2. Camphor, one and one-half drachms ; Ether, G drachms : 
Essence of Peppermint, from one to two drachms ; water, 



i;9. 

one pint. Mix for one dosio. Essence of Peppermint is made 
1)y dissolving:; one part Oil of Peppermint in five of rectified 
spirits. The bottle mnst be well shaken, in order to mix 
the Ether with the other ini,'redients. and the Camphor should 
be first dissolved in the Essence of Peppermint. 

8. Tincture of Opium, one ounce ; Oil of Juniper, two 
drachms: Sweet Spirits of Mitre, one ounce; water, one 
pint. Mix for one dose. 

4. Opium, one drachm: Camphor, II/2 drachms; Ginger, 
powdered, two drachms ; Castile Soap, three drachms. To 
be made into a pill with molasses for one dose. 

l}e//iar/,\—Thc Flatulent or Spasmodic Colic must be care- 
fully distinguished from the Inflammatory, and from that 
which depends upon costiveness. It is always necessary to 
empty the bowels by means of clysters ; and should the 
horse have appeared dull and heavy previous to the attack, 
it would be advisable to bleed. If costiveness attends it, 
give a laxative drench after the paroxysm, which will pre- 
vent its return. Those who travel Avith crib biting horses, 
or one that is often attacked with this complaint, should 
always have a remedy at hand, for which purpose ]So. 4 is 
lecommended. It may be easily dissolved in strong beer or 
peppermint water, or any spirits, and given as a drench. 

Anti-Spasmodic Mixture for Old or Chronic Cough 

- Asafetida, Ya ounce ; Squills, powdered, one drachm ; Cas- 
tile Soap and Venice of Turpentine, each two drachms ; Bal- 
sam of Peru, enough to form the pill. Mix for one dose. 

2. Powdered Squills and Camphor, of each one drachm ; 
Powdered Opium, 14 drachm ; Castile Soap, two drachms ; 
Strained Storax, one and one-half drachms. To be made 
into a pill with molasses for one dose. 

3. Powdered Foxglove, 14 drachm ; Extract of Hemlock, 
two drachms. Mix for one dose. 

Remark.— \ have generally found the above recipes more 
efficacious when preceded by a laxative pill or a course of 
the laxative alteratives, which are to be given every morn- 
ing until the desired eftect is produced. Coughs which 
arise from irritation about the throat are distinguished by 
their almost constantly harassing the animal ; and these are 
often relieved by emollient drinks and the following: 

4. Opium, one drachm ; Castile Soap, two drachms ; Cam- 
phor, one and one-half drachms : Oil of Anise seed, twenty 
drops. To be made into a pill with molasses for one dose. 

Most of the medicines I have here recommended for 
Chronic Coughs possess a diuretic quality, and it is proba- 
ble that their good eftect may arise from this. 

Astringent Pill for Diabetes.— Opium one drachm, 
Powdered Ginger two drachms. Powdered Oak Bark one 
ounce. To be given in a pint of Oak Bark Decoction. 



70 

Astringent for Diarrhoea. -Opium one drachm. Gin- 
ger one and one-half drachma, Prepaied Chalk i^ix drachms. 
Mix into a pill with Honey or Molasses, for one doso. A 
teaspoonful of Gin^jer is a drachm. 

2. Powdered Rhubarb one ounce, Prepared Xatron two 
drachms. Cassia, powdered, one and one-half drachms, Oi! 
of Mint twentj' drops. To be mixed as above for one dose. 

^fma/'A.— Ihave often seen mischief done by givinir as- 
tringents in diarrhrea too hastily, and think it advisable in 
general to give in the first place a laxative. 



Laxative Alteratives. — Barbadoes Aloes ten drachms. 
Castile Soap one ounce, Anis seed, poAvdered. one and one- 
half ounces, Oil of Cloves twenty drops. Molasses enough to 
form the mass into four pills ; one to be given every morning 
until the bowels are moderately open. 

Alteratives are Medicines that'gradually change the system 
from a diseased to a healthy state. The medicines commonly 
used as alteratives are given in very small doses, so tha) 
their eftect is scarcely perceptible : nor do they prevent a 
horse from continuing his usual work, or render it nec- 
essary to make any alteration in his diet. In the Materia 
Medica I endeavored to show the propriety ot dividing Alter- 
atives into three classes, viz: Laxative, Diuretic and Di- 
aphoretic, which plan we shall follow. 

2. Flour of Sulphur six ounces, Tartarized Antimony six 
drachms. Mix for six doses. This may be given in the form 
of powder, daily. But few horses will refuse it in their feed, 
which should be previously moistened. 

3. Liver of Antimony three ounces, Cream of Tartar four 
ounces. Mix for six doses. One to be given daily, or until 
the bowels are opened. 

Remark. — You may understand that this is a better Condi- 
tion Powder than you can get at the stores. 



Condition Powders.— Take Ginger, four ounces ; Black 
Antimony, two ounces ; Sulphur, two ounces : Saltpetre, 
two ounces ; Resin, two ounces. Mix. and give one tea- 
spoonful in the feed three times a day. 

2. Take Bloodroot, Yellowroot. Black Antimony, Salt- 
petre, each two ounces. Mix. and give one teaspoonful in 
the feed twice a day. 

3. Take Anis seeds. Ginger, Liquorice powdered. Cara- 
way seeds, one ounce each. Mix, and give one ounce of this 
mixture every morning in the horse's feed fasting. If a 
large horse increase the quantities of each, and give one and 
one half ounce.s for a dose. 



Fever Pills, or Inflammation on the Lungs. -Cam- 
phor, one and one-half drachms ; Saltpetre, four drachms ; 
Calomel and Opium, each twenty grains. Mix with molasses. 

2. Camphor two drachms, Saltpeter one ounce. Mix for 



80 
ont' dose. The above pills to be ffiven every day or ofteuer 
if the symptoms require it. It fs proper to observe here 
that no medicine will avail much in fever, if bleeding is neg- 
lected. Under the head of Colic you will find in what dis- 
eases to bleed, and when it is proper. I have written more 
on Colic than on any other disease. This comi)laint I have 
found must have immediate help or the horse soon dies. 



Embrocation for Callous Swellings or Bog Spav- 
ins, Wind-Galls. Enlarged Joints, &o.— Strong Mer- 
curial Ointment two ounces, Camphor half an ounce. Oil of 
Uosemarv. half an ounce, Spirits of Turpentine one ounce. 
Mix. 

Blistering Embrocation.— Strong Mercurial Ointment 
two ounces, Oil of Bay, one ounce. Oil of Origanum haif an 
ounce, Powdered Spanish Flies half an ounce. 

Golden Ointment.— Mitrous Acid, two ounces; Quick- 
silver, one ounce Place thf^m in an open bottle or vessel, 
taking care to avoid the noxious fumes which arise. When 
the quicksilver is perfectly dissolved and the mixture cold, 
take one pound of hog's lard, melt it before the tire and turn 
it into a quart bottle, and stir it with the acid. It is good 
for spavins, ringbones, curbs, etc., and will cure theiu in 
the first stage. 

Adhesive Plaster.— Burgundy Pitch, four ounces; Bar- 
badoes Tar, six ounces ; Beeswax, two ounces ; Ked Lead, 
four ounces. The three first are to be melted together, ana 
the latter added. Stir constantly until sufliciently cold. 

Recipe for Opodeldoc— Castile Soap, five ounces ; Oil 
of Rosemary, six drachms ; Gum Camphor, ten drachms ; 
Alcohol, two quarts. Let it stand eight days, shaking it up 
every day. I would prefer making my own in preference to 
buying it. It is a popular remedy for strains and bruises, 
and lameness of any kind, especially if you take Turpentine, 
two ounces; Opodeldoc, two ounces; Sweet Oil, two 
ounces. Mix. 



Sweeny Liniment.— Take Oil of Spike, Oil of Origanum, 
Aqua Ammonia, Spirits of Turpentine, Sweet Oil, Alcohol, 
each two ounces. Mix. This is to be applied to the parts 
shrunken, and well rubbed in every other day. Four ap- 
plications will cure it. 

Tincture of Myrrh is made as follows: Gum Myrrh, 
two ounces ; Aloes, one ounce ; Alcohol, one quart. This 
mixture will cure green wounds the quickest of any med- 
icine that I have ever seen. 



1 



x. 



